Makhachkala, July 8, 2014. The "100 ponds" round table on developing aquaculture in North Caucasus republics took place today at the Gamzatov National Library in Makhachkala bringing together Deputy Prime Minister Sharip Sharipov, acting head of the West Caspian territorial administration of the Russian Federal Fisheries Agency Magomedsultan Aliyev, director of the "CaspNIRKh" Daghestan branch Ahkma Abdusamadov, North Caucasus regions’ representatives supervising the fishing industry, scientists, potential investors, and other officials.
Magomedsultan Aliyev noted that, "Daghestan has potential for aquacultural development – marine and river wealth, hatcheries, and the sea. We proposed the motto "Caspian Sea for everyone" meaning that NCFD regions with no access to the sea can contribute to fisheries supplying high-quality material (fry of trout, Caspian salmon, whitefish, and sturgeon) for cage farms and creating joint ventures breeding salmon and sturgeon in submersible cages. We are ready to distribute by tender breeding areas in the Caspian Sea, where entrepreneurs will be able to farms salmon and sturgeon in submersible cages. The Caspian basin’s potential is great - up to 70,000 tons of aquaculture (valuable fish species) for breeding fish in storm-resistant submersible cages.
Magomedsultan Aliyev added that aquaculture is a reliable source for increasing fish production when oceanic fish and other seafood production is shrinking and inland water fish is in a terrible condition being supported mainly by artificial reproduction. "The main goal of aquacultural development in the NCFD is producing a wide range of domestic fish products at prices affordable for people of different income levels.
Experts say that the North Caucasus has a significant potential for developing aquaculture, and Daghestan is rich in water resources and good climate. Successful aquacultural development will help saturate the local market with domestic fish products and effectively solve the unemployment problem via creating new jobs, and most importantly – it will attract a great deal of fishing tourists," Aliyev said.
Participants also noted that Daghestan has the necessary resources to comprehensively develop sturgeon breeding (pond, industrial and grazing areas) and marketable marine aquaculture on the sea coast.
Proceeding the round table, participants will draw the "road map" of aquacultural development.
