PHOTO // Moldova's National Public Security Inspectorate's subdivisions equipped with five vehicles through project co-financed by European Union

The National Public Security Inspectorate (INSP) today delivered to its subdivisions across the country five vehicles purchased under the project, ISTROS: Strengthening Biodiversity Protection Cross Borders, co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 Programme.

According to the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), the vehicles represent one of the equipment components provided for in the project, which includes the purchase of technical means, equipment and specialized tools meant to strengthen the operational capacities of the subdivisions involved in preventing, documenting and combating poaching and illegal fishing.

“They will help increase mobility and improve the efficiency of field activities carried out in protected natural areas and in the Dniester River basin, an integral part of the Black Sea Basin ecosystem, strengthening the response capacity of the subdivisions involved in preventing and combating illegal activities that impact the country’s natural heritage,” the IGP underlined.

In order to make efficient use of the capacities developed through the project, the INSP will annually draft and implement an Action Plan on the prevention and combating of illegal hunting and fishing.

“The document will define operational measures, patrol and prevention activities, as well as inter-institutional cooperation actions needed to identify and counter illegal activities, contributing to the protection of biodiversity and to strengthening the institutional capacity for intervention in this field,” the IGP said.

The ISTROS project brings together four partner institutions from the Black Sea Basin region and has an implementation period of 30 months. It aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation, the exchange of experience and the development of institutional capacities, in order to combat illegal activities that affect biodiversity and ecosystems in the Black Sea Basin region.