Russia: Protection of water resources - the meeting of the Volga-Caspian Scientific and Industrial Council sums up the results and develops new measures

Ilya Shestakov highlighted the importance of considering social aspects when imposing recreational fishing restrictions, with community proposals to be reviewed in 2025. Conservation efforts are focused on the declining Caspian Sea level, including financing fish passage channel clearing and supporting sturgeon reproduction. A fishing ban on roach was implemented in the Astrakhan Region to protect migration and spawning routes, while stocks of fish like bream, pike perch, carp, and crucian carp have increased. In the Volgograd Region, zander stock is under study, with 2024 estimates at 1,700 tons. Amendments to fishing rules for the Volga-Caspian basin were also discussed.

Ilya Shestakov stressed the importance of taking into account the social component of recreational fishing when introducing any restrictions for fishermen. In 2025, proposals from the fishermen's community will be considered. He noted that the conservation of aquatic bioresources is a priority, especially against the backdrop of a decline in the Caspian Sea level. To ensure natural reproduction, it is planned to finance measures to clear fish passage channels, as well as continue to support artificial reproduction, especially sturgeon. The state of the roach population was also discussed. A ban on its fishing was introduced in the Astrakhan Region, and in April and May of this year, conservation measures were carried out aimed at protecting migration routes and spawning. An increase in the stocks of semi-anadromous and ...