Investigation of the reasons for illegal hunting and fishing in Mazanderan and Golestan provinces, and presentation of legal ways to reduce violation

The present study was conducted to investigate the reasons for illegal hunting and fishing in Golestan and Mazanderan provinces during 2007-2008.

In this study, the references such as books, papers, and magazines about the wild life and hunting laws were identified, and for this purpose, all the references in the existing libraries were studied. To find out the reason of crimes related to hunting and fishing, three methods were used: 1- Investigating the documents and records related to the last decade, 2- Providing an especial questionnaire for hunters, and 3- Providing an especial questionnaire for environmental lovers.
Result and

Results revealed that there were great differences, from different points of view, between the two provinces. Lack of rangers and deficient protective actions were the most important causes for hunting and fishing violations in both provinces. The questioners completed by hunters and fisrhemen showed that sport, recreation and especially need for food (meat) were the main incentives for violation. In both of the provinces, the rate of illegal hunting of wild animals in the areas under the management of Department of Environment (DOE) was higher than other violations. Hunting types were quite different in both provinces. However, bird hunting had the highest rate among other violations. Distribution of the detected hunting and fishing instruments was not equal in both provinces and among their towns. Furthermore, types of hunting and fishing instruments were quite different, and there was an unequal distribution of illegal fishing and hunting of wild mammals, birds and aquatics among the towns. There was also a great difference in the range and manner of harms to the environment in the two provinces. Therefore, correlation coefficient was higher in Mazanderan province than Golestan province. Finally, based on the results and the diversity in the two provinces, in terms of types of crime and means of crime, some solutions were presented to reduce the mentioned crimes