Alexander Tkachev, Russia’s newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, plans to implement a package of reforms in the country’s fishing industry, reports Eugene Gerden.
The aim is to make it more attractive for investments and to ensure stable fish supplies to the domestic market. Due to devaluation of the Russian currency (ruble), caused by Western sanctions, the majority of Russian fisherman have decided to increase exports of their fish and seafood abroad, with a simultaneous reduction of supplies to the domestic market. This has already posed a threat to the shortage of fish in the local market.
According to Alexander Tkachev, planned reforms of the national fishing industry may involve introduction of duties on the exports of fish abroad, the amount of which will be announced later.
In addition, the reform will involve the introduction of auctions during the distribution of fishing quotas for producers, which should replace the current scheme of quota distribution, in accordance with the historical principle.
Among the other proposed measures are the increase of quota use from 50% to 70% and the use of at least 70% of the provided quotas on domestically-built fishing vessels. Finally, the Minister plans to create conditions for the increase of crab production during the next few years.
