Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan may create a joint database for Caspian Sea bioresources
According to information from sea-news.az citing the Russian Fishery Agency (Rosrybolovstvo), the initiative was put forward at the International Fishery Industry Forum held in St. Petersburg.
Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head of the Agency, stated that during a session held within the framework of the forum, a proposal was made to create a joint database within the framework of the intergovernmental five-party commission for the management of the Caspian Sea’s aquatic bioresources.
The main purpose of the initiative is to strengthen data exchange among the Caspian littoral states and gather more comprehensive information regarding the sea’s ecological situation and biological resources. Given the absence of biological boundaries in the sea, joint activities for the protection and management of resources are of particular importance.
Previously, it was also reported that the Caspian states intend to draft unified fishing regulations for the sea’s general basin. This is intended to serve the efficient use of aquatic bioresources and strengthen the protection of fishing stocks.
It should be noted that the commission on the protection, effective use, and joint management of the Caspian Sea’s aquatic bioresources was established on the basis of an agreement signed in Astrakhan in September 2014. The agreement entered into force after being ratified by the participating countries in 2016. The commission’s first session was held in Baku in November 2017.
Currently, a complete ban is applied to the harvesting of sturgeon, considered one of the most valuable biological resources of the Caspian Sea.
