The Game and Wildlife Service informs the public that the period from March 1 to August 15 of each year is considered the breeding season and the penalties for offences of killing, capturing, harassing or stalking any species of wildlife, including the use of swords, are particularly severe.
During this period, almost all wildlife species are in the process of breeding, which is perhaps the most important phase of their lives. This period begins with mating, followed by nesting, egg laying and hatching for birds and the birth of chicks for mammals, and ends with the growth and independence of young birds and mammals from their parents.
Early in the breeding season, species populations are at the lowest level of their annual population and their populations increase as we progress chronologically towards summer.
The breeding season is considered particularly critical for the status of species for the rest of the year and for game birds, a successful breeding season also bodes well for a very good hunting year.
Due to the importance of the season, both the European Directive and national legislation are particularly sensitive and strict and include provisions in their texts to promote and ensure an unhindered and trouble-free breeding season.
In view of all of the above, it is noted that the penalty for killing, capturing, harassing or stalking any wildlife species by any means, including the use of swordfish, during the above-mentioned period, is €8,000. In addition to the above fine, a fine of €1,000 is added to the above fine for killing, capturing, harassing or stalking in a prohibited hunting area, since during the current period all areas are considered as prohibited hunting areas.
At the same time, the extrajudicial fine is increased if the following are taken into account:
[*]the species of wildlife killed, captured, harassed or stalked, [*]the number of individuals of the species of wildlife killed, captured, harassed or stalked and [*]the time when the offence took place.
(BG/EXP)
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