CZECH REPUBLIC
RECREATIONAL FISHERIES

F. VÁCHA

Vyzkumny ustav rybařsky a hydrobiologicky, CZ 389 25 Vodńany, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic (population 10.3 million) has few large lakes or reservoirs and bases its fish production on farming in ponds. The ponds have uses other than fish farming as they also serve to retain rain water, regulate ground water, store water for agriculture and provide a valuable recreational resource. Fish production by aquaculture was 24 400 t in 1994. Per caput consumption has remained fairly steady at 1.4 kg/y. Although imports of marine fish have increased there has also been a rise in the quantity of freshwater fish exported. Exports should rise further after the quality of the product has been improved through an FAO project.

The recreational fishery

Rivers, dams and reservoirs are administered by angling unions. From 1990 two main unions have been operational. The Czech Angling Union covers the majority of the country whereas the Moravian Angling Union covers about one fifth of the country.

Angling may be practised only after undergoing specialized training under specified conditions. Management and control of the recreational fisheries are the responsibility of the designated state institutions. A new Fisheries Act should encourage the spread of angling to a greater range of water bodies in the country beyond the 35 918 ha at present reserved for this activity. The conception that rivers are polluted does not encourage angling in running waters. However with increased leisure time there appears to be an increase in demand for sports angling in ponds which is now possible under the new Fisheries Act. The quality of the surface waters of the country is being improved.

It is difficult to gather exact data on the amount of fish caught as the system of data collection was dismantled during the process of economic transformation.

The recreational sector is quite limited but has some social and economic importance. The 281 000 licenses sold for recreational fishing per year suggest that about 3 percent of the population are to some extent involved in the activity. The license is obligatory and is subject to the payment of a fee.

Catches by sport fishermen are generally eaten. The total volume of fish caught by recreational fishermen from the 35 918 ha was 3 400 t in 1993, representing more than .3 kg/caput or 94 kg/ha. The catch, which was mostly of cyprinids, (Table 1) was worth 55 million crowns. The stock available to the fishermen was 2 049 t in 1989 and the average anglers catch was 77 kg which was somewhat higher than the recommended 65 kg/ha. In 1992, 3 330 t were caught.

Figures for total catch are based on voluntary reports submitted by the fishermen. Such reports are not necessarily accurate. However the collection of data on recreational fisheries is difficult due to the collapse of the organizations that were previously charged with the administration of the sector. Improvement of data collection is needed before the Czech Republic can participate in international fisheries research projects.

Small water bodies are used as breeding areas for selected fish species to restock rivers and lakes. As of December 1990, 41 129 ha of ponds were managed for fish production by State Fishery Enterprises. When privatization is completed some 30 000 ha will be managed by some form of private enterprise often owned by the former employees of the state fish farms. As part of the restructuring process ponds are being returned to their former owners which may include communities and various forms of fishermen's unions.

Legislation

As legislation passed before the transition of the economy no longer corresponds to the current situation the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated the revision of the legal system regarding fisheries through the following acts.

Waters Act

To date water has been managed by the State. This situation has not proved satisfactory and an amendment is being prepared that classifies water as res nulis. Privately owned water is limited to wells and in small water bodies close to houses. The law aims at preserving water resources through rules that primarily address water quality and its protection. Ponds in protected areas will not be privatized and will form an integral part of the protected area. This amendment will be issued in 1995.

Fisheries Act

This law covers aquaculture and recreational fishing. By 1995 it will annul the monopoloy of the State toward the Sport Fishery Union and already some regional unions have come into existence. Future provisions will deal with the use of aquatic organisms. The Act will also protect ponds which can not be converted to land without the prior consent of the Ministry of the Environment.

State Control of Water Management Act

Four other Acts are in preparation.

Transformation of Water Management Act

Cultural and Technical Engineering Act

Water Supply and Sewerage Act

Water Management Funds Act

The new Act and amendments are being harmonized with EC regulations. A new Act on waters should replace all the above Acts and amendments by 1997. Under this Act the Ministry of Environment will have exclusive rights to control and protect water on behalf of the State.

The settlement of claims for restitution will soon be concluded. Ponds managed by legally constituted fisheries companies are owned by the State through the National Property Fund which leases them to share holding companies or limited liability companies. Some ponds are owned by private individuals who also rent them out. The process of privatization is supposed to be completed by 1995 by which time all property except that lying within natural reserves will be privatized.

Aquaculture does not receive subsidies from the State. Partial subsidies are payable for the preservation and improvement of genetic potential, and to test the performance and health of fish. To a lesser extent the agricultural sector subsidises the maintenance of official fishery records and in view of the disintegration of the former data collection systems such subsidies will need to be increased.

Activities aimed at the management of ponds for public functions and water supply are of major importance and will be managed by State Institutions.

Changes in ownership will bring about a diversification in management approaches. An increase in interest in recreational angling is anticipated as well as an increase in aquaculture. Ponds and other aquaculture facilities that have been returned to their former owners represent 20 – 25% of the fish farming capacity of the Czech Republic.

Research

There seems to be little purpose in privatizing fisheries research, although for the most part this is not funded by the State. A balance needs to be preserved between the commercial interests of fish producers and the public interest in conservation of water and landscape management. The main Research Institute on Fish Culture and Hydrobiology in Vodnany covers a broad spectrum of activities including freshwater fisheries, technology, fish diseases, genetics and fish culture in pond and heated waters.

Table 1 Composition of anglers' catches in 1992