BACKGROUND
Kazakhstan includes parts of the catchments of the Aral and Caspian seas, the large lakes Balkhash and Markakol and the Alakol lakes system, eight large river basins including those of rivers Irtysh, Ural and Syr-Darya, and 85 other permanent rivers and streams, many of which supply water for irrigation. The total discharge in the territory of Kazakhstan amounts to 101 km3. Water is also stored in 475 mostly multi-purpose reservoirs. The fishery potential of waters associated with irrigation is underutilized. The reason for this is a general decline of fisheries over the last 10 years, after Kazakhstan initiated the transfer of its economy from a centrally-planned system to a market-oriented one. The impact of a decrease in government financial support has been dramatic, resulting in decline in the management and scientific base and in deterioration of the existing infrastructure, such as hatcheries and fish farms producing stocking material for regular releases into reservoirs. The decline in the fishing industry, formerly state owned, has been accompanied by an increase in illegal fishing. Fish consumption in the country has declined by two thirds to 2.5 kg per caput per annum. Currently the fisheries in Kazakhstan is lacking legal and economic mechanisms for rehabilitation and development.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a management strategy for the rehabilitation of Kazakhstan fisheries, especially in the reservoirs and other water bodies of irrigation systems.
To be achieved by
Evaluation of the state of fish stocks and fisheries in reservoirs and other water bodies of Kazakhstan. This to cover production, economical, legal and social aspects
Expected results
Establishment of an information data bank on fish stocks, their level of exploitation, and current enhancement practices;
Economical analysis of fisheries;
Identification of legal constraints;
Analysis of social impacts of the current situation in fisheries;
Recommendations for improvements in fish production;
Suggestions for economic, legal and social improvements.
The results will represent an important step towards improving decision-making on national and local levels for the implementation of enhancement strategies, introduction of new technologies, as well as for the preparation of programmes of work. The project will also address the profitability of investment into fishery development and this should result in attracting private investment. On the whole the project would be a major stepping stone in the direction of rehabilitation and development of fisheries in Kazakhstan.
Executive agency
Kazakhstan Scientific and Research Institute of Fishery Industry, Almaty. The Institute has a team of economists, lawyers and ichthyologists, who have already initiated the collection of data, especially on fishery resources in large reservoirs of the country. Shortage of funds at present does not allow the expansion of data collection and analysis for the whole territory of Kazakhstan. This would be the major objective of the project, as outlined here.
