Priority of environmental safety in the field of aquatic bioresources and effective counteraction to illegal extraction in the state policy of Ukraine

The article identifies the priority of environmental security in the field of aquatic bioresources as a strategically important element of Ukraine’s state policy in the context of European integration and the fight against illegal fishing. The complex nature of the problem of illegal occupation of fishing and other aquatic biological resources as a direct threat to environmental security, requiring priority attention from the state and the application of modern preventive measures, has been considered. The impact of military aggression on the exacerbation of existing risks in this area, including the weakening of state and public control; the growth of the shadow economy, and consequently an increase in cases of illegal fishing; the pollution of water bodies and the destruction of infrastructure, which creates new challenges for ensuring the environmental safety of aquatic biological resources, has been analyzed separately. The article analyses the key aspects of Ukraine’s state policy on aquatic bioresources, including legislative support, harmonisation with European environmental standards (acquis communautaire), recognition and overcoming of existing environmental challenges, integration of environmental priorities into sectoral policies, and the importance of evaluating the effectiveness and adjusting relevant policy decisions. Considerable attention is paid to the role of public involvement and documentation of the impact of war on the environment as a powerful tool for raising environmental awareness, strengthening public control and providing objective information for management decision-making. The author emphasises that in order to ensure the priority of environmental safety of aquatic bioresources and effective counteraction to illegal fishing in the State policy of Ukraine, an integrated approach is needed, which includes legislative, law enforcement, educational and public initiatives. Maintaining the priority of environmental safety of aquatic bioresources is not only a guarantee of sustainable development and public health, but also an important step towards Ukraine’s European integration.