Mass fish die-off in Russia sparks criminal probe and $550K in damages

A criminal case has been opened over the mass die-off of fish, which caused damages exceeding 50 million rubles ($550,000), prosecutors report.

In February 2026, a large-scale fish kill—affecting carp bream and pike perch—occurred in the waters of the Bester Canal in Shcherbinovsky District.

An investigation revealed that employees of the Azov-Don branch of Glavrybvod (Russia's Federal Agency for Fisheries) and the Yeysk Experimental Farm had failed to take measures to preserve aquatic resources or improve the canal's condition.

Prosecutors referred the case to investigative authorities, leading to charges of negligence resulting in major damage. The probe remains under prosecutorial oversight. Additionally, the supervisory agency has filed a lawsuit demanding that the organizations implement necessary measures to restore the water body, according to the regional prosecutor's office.

Earlier, a 36-year-old resident of Shcherbinovsky District was caught fishing with a gillnet in the Yeysk Lagoon without proper authorization. Police seized his fishing gear along with his illegal catch—over 140 mullet and carp bream. An expert assessment determined that his actions had caused more than 150,000 rubles ($1,650) in damage to aquatic biological resources. A criminal case has been opened against the poacher, who has been placed under travel restrictions and ordered to comply with conduct requirements.