Mongolia has imposed a blanket ban on fishing from April 1 to June 15 during the breeding period under the Law on Animals, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said in a statement released on Tuesday (31 March). Anyone found breaking the ban will be fined up to five times the minimum wage – or MNT 2,100,000 (USD 756).

During the breeding period, the fish population can increase 20 times.

The ban will also be in effect at different times based on breeding periods of different fish species. For example:

• For fish species in the Darkhad region from 1 August until 20 October
• For fish species in Buir Lake from 15 May until 1 August
• For the Baikal Omul fish from 30 August until 30 October
• For Zaram from 5 September until 30 January
• For Altai trout from 15 June until 31 August
• For all other species from 1 April until 15 June.

Seventy-five species of fish are registered in the country, according to the ministry.