Business program

Event details:

Unbroken cold chain for the fishery industry today is more than just a preferred element of transportation and storage – it is a key necessity for delivering high-quality products from the place of catch or production to the tables of final consumers.

The Cold Chain project is a priority initiative for the International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT) that is championed by the President of the Association of Food Sector Organizations (ASORPS).

The roundtable will examine real-life cases and promising areas for the development of the unbroken cold chain as applicable to the transportation of frozen and chilled fish products.

Topics to discuss:

• The role of logistics in the fish industry in ensuring food security
• Transportation of fish and seafood key challenges and solutions
• Maintaining the cold chain in fish logistics as a factor in international trade operations
• Opportunities and geography of fish cargo transportation through Russian ports and direct rail connections business cases
• Secrets of fish logistics for HoReCa

Welcome speech:

• Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Russia Liaison Office

Prospective speakers:

1. Andrey Grechkin, General Director, Dalreftrans (FESCO Transportation Group)
2. Mr. Guo Honglian, Director, RailNet Logistics
3. Manish Kumar, President, Soltex Group, Deputy Chairman, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry,Member of the Board, FBA EAC
4. Alexey Borisov, Founder and CEO, Fishtrans LLC
5. Ekaterina Kobeletskaya, Chief Operating Officer, Unifrost LLC
6. Oleg Ryabov, Category Director, “Ultrafresh” Division, Perekrestok Retail Chain
7. Evgeny Meshcheryakov, Professional Chef and Food Production Technologist; Restaurant Projects: Blok,Zhivago, Beluga, UmiOysters, More na Patrikakh; Founder, Dary Rusi Company

Event details:

Today, artificial intelligence is not only a tool for scientific research but also a real driver of change across various industries. For the fishery sector, AI opens up new opportunities: from accurate catch forecasting and optimization of production processes to intelligent systems for resource monitoring and support for managerial decision-making.

Universities are actively implementing machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing technologies, creating new scientific approaches and practical solutions for the sustainable development of the fisheries complex. The prospects for using AI in industry enterprises are expanding: intelligent systems enable increased production efficiency, rational resource use, and the development of modern management models.

The roundtable provides a platform for experience exchange, discussion of prospects and challenges, and the establishment of international cooperation in AI applications. During the discussion, we will review examples from university practice and explore case studies of AI integration into the operations of fishery enterprises.

Prospective speakers:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Vladislav Ivanenko, CEO, LLC “Sputniks”
3. Gulbarshin Shambilova, Head of the Project Office “Center for Academic Excellence,” Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor
4. Andrey Ronzhin, Director, St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor
5. Galina Peshkova, Vice-Rector for Development of the University Complex, St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation; Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor
6. Alexander Charkin, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences
7. Elena Chertina, Director, Research and Educational Center for Professional Competencies, Astrakhan State Technical University; Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor
8. Elizaveta Barabanova, Leading Researcher, Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor
9. Oksana Ogiy, First Vice-Rector of Kaliningrad State Technical University (KSTU)
10. Pavel Pastukhov, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, Digitalization and Youth Policy, Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University

Event details:

In May 2025, a new Strategy for the Development of the Shipbuilding Industry was approved, covering the period up to 2036, with a long-term outlook to 2050. Under the baseline scenario, the strategy envisions the construction of 119 fishing vessels by 2030, 160 vessels between 2031 and 2036, and 465 vessels by 2050.

To implement these plans, the domestic ship equipment manufacturing industry must be prepared to produce the required volume of components and cover the majority of the equipment range.

• Defining new government support measures to facilitate the construction of the fishing fleet
• Including specific ship component production projects in targeted programs (with subsequent funding) based on the new shipbuilding development strategy
• Import substitution in shipbuilding – operating under current localization requirements for Russian-made ship equipment (with priority given to domestic equipment on vessels)
• Identifying solutions to current industry challenges, including the inability to localize certain types of ship equipment

As part of the roundtable, together with representatives of the Department of Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Federal Agency for Fisheries, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, the KURS Central Research Institute, the United Shipbuilding Corporation, shipyards, and equipment manufacturers, it is proposed to develop recommendations for inclusion in state programs, as well as to identify the most pressing issues in the field of fishing fleet construction that require funding and increased attention from the Department of Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment.

Event details:

Biohackathon "FARWATER" is the final stage of a nationwide competition for innovative projects in the field of marine biotechnology, organized by the Federal Agency for Fisheries with the support of BIT Scientific and Production Association LLC.

The event brings together students, young researchers, and developers to create breakthrough solutions for the fisheries industry and marine bioresources.

Participants work on real-life cases provided by leading industry enterprises across four main tracks:

• innovative technologies for harvesting and processing marine algae
• environmentally sustainable aquaculture systems
• breakthrough concepts addressing global human challenges
• educational programs and digital tools to raise awareness of marine biotechnology

Teams develop working prototypes and present their solutions to an expert jury. Winners gain the opportunity to implement their projects with support from industry partners and to pursue careers in leading companies within the fisheries sector.

Chair of the Jury:

• Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries

Jury:

1. Alexey Baitaliuk, Deputy Director – Head of the Pacific branch of VNIRO (TINRO)
2. Evgeny Girkin, Founder and Owner, ToDoFood Group
3. Tatyana Puchkova, Chairwoman of the Board, Russian Perfume and Cosmetic Association (RPKA)
4. Anatoly Khitrov, Owner, NPO Biomedical Innovative Technologies LLC
5. Evgeny Masyutkin, Rector, Kerch State Marine Technological University
6. Dmitry Klyuneev, Director, Fisheries Development Department, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
7. Mr. Duan Delin, Professor at the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Event details:

Production companies are constantly seeking effective ways to promote fish products. At the same time, most of them currently operate independently and in a fragmented manner, without participating in a unified marketing strategy alongside government bodies or industry peers.

To address this, the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “Agency for the Promotion of Fish Products” has developed a communication strategy and brand platform under the name “Russian Fish.”

Presentation of the communication strategy and the brand platform “Russian Fish”

Key sections of the presentation:

• Challenges and objectives: increasing domestic fish consumption to meet Ministry of Health standards; fostering sustainable eating habits
• Consumption analysis: market data, comparison with international practices
• Barriers: affordability, perception of fish among young people
• Communication strategy: unified brand platform “Russian Fish”, social advertising, content campaigns
• Media strategy and touchpoints: TV, digital, bloggers, “fish weeks”, food festivals
• Roadmap: steps for 2025–2027, pilot projects, KPIs

Panel discussion on the presented strategy and brand platform with industry participants

Topics to discuss:

• Brand perception and consumer trust
• How do experts assess the potential of a unified communication strategy?
• What is needed to increase trust in Russian fish products?
• Market integration
• How can the catch-to-retail chain be optimized more effectively?
• Is it possible to establish long-term producer–retailer contracts?
• Business participation in pilots
• Is the industry ready to take part in implementing the strategy and joint activations?
• Are companies willing to support voluntary labeling as part of the roadmap and communication strategy?
• Government support
• What measures are needed to support the industry?
• Successful examples
• Promoting Far Eastern pollock: what can be scaled up?
• Which positive examples from international practice could be applied in Russia?

Prospective speakers:

1. Jacob Adamov, CEO, Autonomous Non-Profit Organization “Agency for the Promotion of Fish Products”
2. Margo Vorontsova, Brand Strategist, es-sence agency, Co-author of the Brand Platform
3. Vasiliy Yashchuk, Director of Creative Division, Kokos Group
4. Pavel Zyumkin, Art Director and Designer, es-sence Communications Agency
5. Alexander Panin, Chairman, Fish Union
6. Stanislav Aksenov, Member of the Board of Directors, Russian Fishery Company (RFPC), President, Association of Fishing Fleet Owners
7. Alexey Buglak, President, Pollock Catchers Association
8. Vlad Sitnikov, Creative Strategist and Entrepreneur, Partner at GRAPE Creative Agency, Founder of Beztender.rf, Editor-in-Chief of Hot-Digital.ru, Jury Member at Webby Awards
9. Yuri Vyushin, Deputy CEO for Development of Hotel Services, Tutu.ru
10. Olga Naumova, Chairwoman of the Board, Unifrost
11. Alexandra Sukhareva, Head, Departments of Fruits and Vegetables and Ultra-Fresh category, Perekrestok

Event details:

The shipbuilding sector for the commercial fleet has undergone radical changes over the past three years. Following the exit of domestic design bureaus and equipment suppliers from the Russian shipbuilding market, all participants in this sector faced a range of challenges.

Domestic design bureaus have had to take on the responsibility of supervising the construction of vessels based on foreign designs. The cessation of imported equipment supplies has necessitated vessel redesigns and the search for new suppliers of ship equipment, which has increased the time required for vessel development and construction. Additionally, longstanding issues at shipyards remain, including meeting construction deadlines, calculating labor intensity, and determining project costs.

Moreover, after the departure of foreign design bureaus from Russia, the industry has faced a vacuum of modern concept designs for commercial vessels, including research vessels for fisheries and transport vessels for fish logistics, based on domestic equipment and equipment from allied countries.

Today, to ensure the implementation of the shipbuilding industry development strategy through 2050, which includes the construction of 2,634 commercial vessels, the domestic design sector must prepare a standardized Russian fleet of fishing vessels.

This work is only possible in cooperation with customers and domestic shipboard equipment manufacturers, supported by a range of administrative measures and subsidies. Furthermore, to enhance collaboration among design and engineering organizations, material and equipment suppliers, and shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises across the Russian Federation, the following tasks must be addressed: the introduction and development of competencies for working with 3D models at shipyards; the establishment of a database of accredited Russian manufacturers of materials and shipboard equipment; and regulatory and financial incentives to stimulate demand for domestically produced materials and shipboard components.

Topics to discuss:

• Analysis of the current situation in the commercial fishing fleet shipbuilding sector
• Analysis of shipyard collaboration experience from the client’s perspective
• Development of a range of domestic concept designs for commercial vessels, taking into account modern requirements and the experience of foreign design bureaus
• Establishment of cooperation with clients for the creation of vessel concept designs
• Identification of critical shipboard equipment and materials, and assessment of the feasibility of using Russian equipment in domestic concept designs for commercial vessels
• Enhancement of the competitiveness of Russian commercial vessel projects in terms of timelines and quality
• Identification of the most pressing areas (in the design of specific vessels) for potential inclusion in state programs and project subsidies
• Development of possible cooperation between various design bureaus

Event details:

The world’s oceans and inland waters are no longer an endless treasure trove, instead becoming a reflection of the global challenges facing humanity, from biodiversity loss to plastic water pollution. In addition, climate change sets its own rules: rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, acidification, and eutrophication are leading to unpredictable migrations of fish stocks, forcing coastal communities to seek new sources of income and making investors reconsider existing risks. Traditional models of aquatic ecosystems’ exploitation have reached a turning point, requiring urgent transformation of approaches to management, production and distribution. As a result, nowadays supply chain resilience depends not only on the price environment but also on the ability of all participants to adapt to this increasing turbulence.

Russia, which has enormous fisheries potential, from abundant stocks of wild fish in the Far Eastern and northern seas to the rapidly growing aquaculture sector, faces a strategic task of creating high-tech processed products with high added value while maintaining its position as a major raw material supplier. The success of this transition will determine not only the country’s position on the global market map but also the future of hundreds of coastal fishing enterprises, especially against the backdrop of large-scale infrastructure projects and the growing role of the Northern Sea Route.

Aquatic foods remain one of the most in-demand food groups in the world: over 230 countries and territories are involved in the trade in them, and the total revenue from their sales has reached a record level of USD 195 billion. According to FAO calculations, the global average consumption of fishery food products per capita has amounted to 20.7 kg. Thus, the industry provides around 15% of dietary animal proteins, and in some countries in Asia and Africa the figure exceeds 50%. At the same time, a number of regions experience shortages in the supply of traditional fish species due to increasing logistics costs, and rising fish product prices lead to changes in consumer behaviour and adjustments in demand.

In this context, FAO is proposing the Blue Transformation concept that is based on promoting sustainable international fish trade to meet the growing demand for aquatic foods; ensuring effective governance of the fisheries sector to improve the health of fish stocks and create fair livelihoods; and modernizing fish value chains to ensure their social, economic and environmental sustainability. Instead of selective improvements, this initiative proposes a systemic reset of the entire value chain in the industry, from transparent fishing conditions and the use of blockchain technologies to combat IUU fishing to maximum traceability of products and their digital labeling on store shelves.

These approaches were reflected during the recent 20th session of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI:FT, 8–12 September 2025). The participants discussed the development forecast and key trends in the trade in fishery products, the progress of regulatory developments and capacity building activities, as well as greater cooperation with other international organizations. The session confirmed the leading role of FAO and its partners in fostering the changes needed to expand and intensify the global fish trade and improve the efficiency of aquatic value chains. The key outcomes of the 20th COFI:FT session will be presented during the round table, and we expect them to catalyze a lively and animated discussion about such pressing challenges of the Russian fishery sector as the sustainable use of stocks and combatting IUU fishing, the balance between export and domestic consumption, protecting the rights of producers, especially small-scale ones, and, finally, the longest land logistics route in the world and the feasibility of fish products entering the exchange

We are convinced that the popularity of the “Fish awaits!” slogan has become a thing of the past. Nowadays we need to be guided by the “People await!” principle, and together we can help ensure that fresh, high-quality, delicious, widely diverse and affordable fish and other aquatic offerings, which are so abundant in the Russian seas and inland waters, reach store shelves and our tables on time and in sufficient quantities.

The event is aimed at going beyond the formal discussion of current trends and analytical forecasts. We want to lay the foundation for practical solutions that will turn sustainable trade in fish products from an abstract concept into a competitive advantage and a functioning business model for every participant of the supply chain. Join our expert dialogue to jointly shape the fish menu of tomorrow!

Welcome speech:

1. Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Russia Liaison Office
2. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries

Speakers:

1. Rishi Sharma, Chief Fisheries Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (online)
   Outcomes of the 20th Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI-FT)
2. Mikhail Sinev, President, Associations of Food Sector Organizations (ASORPS)
   International Transport Corridors for Sustainable and Profitable Fish Trade in the Era of Global Challenges
3. Vadim Klementyev, Director of the “Gazprombank Electronic Trading Platform”
   Digital Ocean: How Electronic Platforms Are Transforming the Landscape of Global Fish Trade

Event details:

In 2025, for the first time, the exhibition will host a packaging competition for fish products, aimed at identifying and promoting the best solutions and materials.

All manufacturers and suppliers of fish products in the relevant categories are welcome to participate.

The competition is supported by the Telegram channel “Rybkhoz. All About Fish.”

As a result of the competition, awards will be given not only to the winning fish product manufacturers but also to the packaging producers whose technologies, materials, and equipment were used in production.

For more details about the competition, please follow the link.

The event will be held in Russian.

Event details:

“Look beyond the horizon!” is a traditional event where the industry’s top officials and students of fishery universities meet on equal footing. The winners of 2025 university competitions will present their projects and get a chance to receive first-hand job offers.

Participant projects:

1. Alina Talova, 4th-year student, Kamchatka State Technical University (KamchatGTU)
   Development of biotechnology for cultivating brown algae in the Kamchatka region for sanitary mariculture and restoration of their natural populations
2. Nikita Tolstov, Master’s student, Astrakhan State Technical University (AGTU)
   Industrial aquaponics
3. Evgeny Zayats, PhD student, Head of the Laboratory of the Department of Technical Systems Management, Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University (Dalrybvtuz)
   Technology for producing sterilized canned products from smoked small fish of the Far Eastern basin in oil
4. Faina Karneeva, PhD student, Kamchatka State Technical University (KGTU)
   Innovative technology for dried sausages from aquaculture species
5. Alina Andreevna, student, Kamchatka State Marine Technical University (KGMTU)
   Salt adaptation of rainbow trout larvae and juveniles in recirculating aquaculture systems
6. Artem Shendrik and Arseny Repin, 2025 graduates of Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, employees of LLC Marine Integrated Systems
   Development of a fish grading prototype using computer vision (as part of the “Startup as Thesis” format)

Prospective Jury Members:

1. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Kirill Kolonchin, Director, VNIRO
3. Alexander Panin, Chairman, Fish Union
4. Anna Sheveleva, General Director, Baltiysky Bereg Trading House
5. Ilya Rakovsky, Chairman, Karelian Fisheries Union

Event details:

Price forecasts, production volume estimates, or potential shortages of red caviar are a guaranteed way to make headlines in the country’s most influential federal newspapers, top national news portals, news aggregators, and popular Telegram channels.

The intense media and consumer attention to this relatively small segment of the fish product market is striking: year after year, starting in spring, newspaper headlines abound with forecasts for the new “red” fishing season; by September, price predictions for the New Year emerge; and from January onward, coverage shifts to forecasts related to February 23rd, March 8th, Maslenitsa, and so on in a continuous cycle. Thousands of publications, hundreds of thousands of comments, and a flood of consumer emotions follow.

For the past year, the most cited “fish-related” topic in the federal news agenda has been “record-high prices for red caviar.”

There is no point in hiding it: the red caviar market is undergoing a transformation, with product segmentation and increasingly volatile price fluctuations within this category. The red caviar market is returning to the state it was in before the early 1990s: premium caviar with high prices and lower-quality caviar segments.

At the same time, as revealed by a joint study conducted by the analytics company Nielsen and VARPE, branded fishermen’s products account for only 0.5% of retail red caviar sales.

Why is the share of red caviar sales in chain retail disproportionate to the overall share of retail in the “fish basket”?

What is the future of caviar boutiques?

What market niche do caviar marketplaces occupy?

These and other questions will be discussed by speakers during a special expert session at the International Fishery Forum.

Topics to discuss:

• How much red caviar was caught in grams: results of the 2025 salmon fishing season
• The Russian caviar code: sales structure, the role of “red caviar,” and sales trends
• Market transparency: the “Kamchatka experiment” and product labeling
• The catch behind “cheap” red caviar
• Does red caviar need advertising, and who should invest in it?
• Caviar online: the future of the market or a field for counterfeit products?
• New strategies of red caviar producers

Speakers:

1. Nikolay Bruyaka, Development Director of E-grocery & Non-food Delivery Service, “Kuper”
2. Alexey Goryachev, Founder of LLC “Goryachev” (HOT FISH Online Store)
3. Yulia Kuzmina, Head of Duty-Free Food Products Department, CRPT (Operator of the State Labeling System “Chestny Znak”)
4. Olga Maznikova, PhD in Biology, Director of the Department of Anadromous Fish of Russia, VNIRO
5. Alexander Sosnovikov, Head of Business Development Group, Nielsen
6. Alexandra Sukhareva, Head, Departments of Fruits and Vegetables and Ultra-Fresh category, Perekrestok
7. Konstantin Yarantsev, General Director, “Morskoy Meridian” Company

Event details:

The event will focus on discussing innovative and efficient solutions for the production and technological base of aquaculture enterprises, aimed at improving their productivity, ensuring sustainable development, and increasing profitability. Special attention will be given to the role of high-quality equipment as the foundation of modern, optimized production.

Topics to discuss:

• Prospects for aquaculture development and the need to implement new technological solutions to ensure sustainable sector growth
• The importance of high-quality equipment as the cornerstone of efficient aquaculture production. Key equipment parameters: durability, ease of maintenance, energy efficiency, safety
• The impact of equipment quality on farm productivity and economic performance
• An integrated approach to equipment selection: water purification and filtration systems, aeration, incubation, temperature and humidity control, water quality monitoring systems
• Temperature and humidity control technologies: heaters, thermostats, climate-control systems for pond and cage farms
• Feeding equipment: automatic and semi-automatic feeders, feed dosing machines, storage and transportation systems
• Net and cage structures: material selection, cage manufacturing technologies, predator protection, prevention of fish escapes
• Challenges and prospects of equipment servicing
• Organization of technical support and warranty services
• Spare parts, staff training, service contracts
• The relevance of optimizing the production and technological base in the context of improving aquafarm efficiency and strengthening economic performance
• Presentation of practical case studies and leading international and Russian practices in implementing modern technological solutions

Prospective speakers:

1. Irina Zakharevich, Executive Director, Net-Making Factory “LYUKSOL”, Trademark / Legal Entity LLC “LUMEN”
   Current technologies and services for cage farms: from equipment selection to efficient operation. Modern materials for net cage production: options, prospects, and quality testing methods
2. Sergey Galizin, General Director, LLC “Hermes”
   Modern technological solutions for cage-based fish farms. Structural features of cages, pontoons, and anchoring systems: design, materials, installation, environmental safety, and reliability
3. Sergey Novikov, CEO, Russian Caviar House Group

Event details:

In 2024, the All-Russian Sambo Federation together with the Federal Agency for Fisheries established the national tournament “Cup of Five Seas” for boys aged 12-14. The competition included several stages: qualifying rounds were held in four Russian cities, with the final taking place in Moscow. In total, 400 athletes from 25 regions of the country participated.

In 2025, the format expanded: the program now includes competitions for girls aged 12-14, and new stages were added in the Republic of Buryatia and the Astrakhan Region. The first stage was held in March in Ulan-Ude, bringing together 185 athletes from three regions. In April, more than 50 young sambo wrestlers gathered in Arkhangelsk on the shores of the White Sea, while in May the baton was passed to Kaliningrad, where 128 participants from seven regions fought for a place in the finals. In summer, Vladivostok on the coast of the Sea of Japan hosted 209 athletes from six regions, followed by the fifth stage in the Southern Federal District, which gathered 132 participants from nine regions. The final qualifying stage took place in the Kamchatka Territory, washed by the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. There, 20 of the strongest athletes secured their long-awaited tickets to the finals.

At every stage, the tournament was supported by representatives of city administrations and regional ministries of sport. The event received high praise from athletes, coaches, and honored guests alike.

The final of the “Cup of Five Seas” will be held on October 22, 2025, in St. Petersburg, where 240 of the country’s best young sambo wrestlers will compete for the tournament’s main trophy.

Topics to discuss:

Event details:

Business breakfast FishStat.ru (by invitation only).

The program features only background music, a delicious breakfast with Far Eastern scallops, and a surprise guest from the world of comedy. Let’s start the workday with a smile!

Event details:

In recent years, the Russian ship repair sector has demonstrated steady growth in workload – the number of orders has increased, and new financial resources have entered the industry. Geopolitical factors are also driving customers to turn to Russian ship repair yards (SRZ) and enterprises in friendly countries.

At the same time, several factors continue to constrain the development of the industry:

• Limited production capacity, particularly ship-lifting facilities, a shortage of berths, and crane equipment
• Lack of a systematic approach to training ship repair specialists, as ship repair has traditionally been considered secondary to shipbuilding
• An outdated machine tool base and difficulties in purchasing specialized equipment from unfriendly countries
• The need for technological preparedness to service new vessels, 70-80% of which are equipped with foreign systems, while ensuring the proper quality and warranty of repairs

The ship repair industry is also calling for the creation of a dedicated state program as part of a long-term development strategy. This would require a deep analysis of the current condition of SRZs, identifying necessary measures, sources, and mechanisms of financing (such as incentives for shipowners who repair their fleets in Russia, and direct government investments in ship repair assets).

The roundtable will focus on the key challenges facing the ship repair industry and will aim to develop proposals for a state program on ship repair to be submitted to the relevant authorities – the Department of Shipbuilding Industry and Marine Engineering of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport of the Ministry of Transport, and the Federal Agency for Fishery of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Event details:

Slender share of aquaculture in the total output of the Russian fishery industry and today’s economic realities call upon us to address a series of multidimensional problems.

Limited supply of foreign and the shortage of local high-performance planting stock and effective feed concentrates for the industrial cultivation of high-value fish species restrict the growth of commercial aquaculture production in the country. Conventional methods of ensuring the desired properties of aquaculture have been substantially replaced by artificial selection that relies on genomics techniques. Designing effective recipes and increasing production volumes are of the utmost importance for addressing the issue of feed concentrate supplies.

A sharp decline in the share of imported medicines for aquaculture healthcare has been partially covered by locally developed products, yet complete and comparable replacement is still a long way off.

Different spheres of today’s commercial aquaculture are a growth point for those who design and build advanced high-tech equipment, robotic systems that rely on AI, computer vision and pattern recognition, as well as databases intended to store and process all sorts of information.

We need to customize the best practices of our foreign counterparts, including China, Turkey and other friendly countries, to the Russian settings in those areas where they have made substantial progress.

Topics to discuss:

• Innovative technology and equipment for fish farms: AI and robots
• Aquatic bioresources, planting stock and genomic selection in Russian aquaculture
• Effective Russian aquafeeds for commercial farming and the future of import substitution in feed production
• Health of aquatic bioresources
• Best foreign practices and potential for their application in Russian aquaculture

Prospective speakers:

1. Igor Zubarev, Senator of the Federation Council, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy
2. Turgay Türkyılmaz, Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye
3. Vladimir Demotko, CEO, Fish Feed JSC
4. M Shaji, Joint Director (Aquaculture) Retd. MPEDA Govt of India. Aquaculture Expert/Consultant NFDB Govt of India
   Best Foreign Practices and Potential for their application in Russian Aquaculture
5. Dmitry Yakimov, CEO, MELKOM-Market LLC (part of MELKOM Group JSC)
6. Oleg Lityaykin, Managing Director, Industry Expertise Center, Rosselkhozbank JSC
7. Julian de Bondt, CEO and Head of Sales at Hesy Aquaculture B.V., Engineer
   Adapting RAS technologies to local environmental conditions and available resources

Event details:

The Present and Future of the Russian Fisheries Sector Lie in Advanced Technologies in Aquaculture, Fishing, and Aquatic Bioresource Processing.

New competencies in aquaculture engineering and commercial fishing will increase the volume of farmed fish and enhance the harvest of aquatic bioresources. Technologies utilizing artificial intelligence will improve the productivity of fish farmers, trawl masters, and processors. Automated and robotic systems will ensure zero-waste, environmentally friendly, and standardized processes.

However, the adoption of new technologies requires a new generation of engineering professionals. This calls for the consolidation of efforts between higher education institutions and fishery enterprises through the development of new educational programs and technologies to train highly qualified personnel for the fisheries sector.

Topics to discuss:

• Breakthrough competencies and new professions in aquaculture, fisheries, and aquatic bioresources processing
• Automation and robotics for boosting labor productivity
• Industry competence centers as the core of sectoral modernization
• Mentorship provided by fishing industry companies
• Programs for adaptation, retention, and engagement of young professionals in public service and subordinate organizations of the Federal Agency for Fisheries
• Targeted enrollment as a tool for developing the industry’s human capital

Prospective speakers:

1. Andrey Fedorov, CEO, Fishering Service LLC
2. Alexey Panov, Head of the Legal Support, Civil Service, and HR Department, Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo)
3. Alexander Nedostup, Vice-Rector for Sectoral Scientific and Methodological Activities, Kaliningrad State Technical University (KSTU)
4. Tatyana Glechikova, Vice-Rector for Economics, Youth Policy, and Strategic Development of Sectoral Programs, Kamchatka State Marine Technical University (KGMTU)
5. Anna Sheveleva, CEO, Baltic Coast Trading Company LLC (TD Baltiyskiy Bereg)
6. Sergey Levchenko, CEO, Vestrybflot LLC
7. Sergey Borzov, Specialist in Fishing Gear, FOR Group
8. Sergey Kondratenko, PhD, Deputy CEO for Production, Poleks-Aqua LLC
9. Viktor Berdyshev, Chairman, Federal Educational and Methodological Association in Higher Education for UGSC 35.00.00 – Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

Event details:

Neural networks, robotics, and artificial intelligence are becoming an integral part of the modern agro-industrial complex, opening new horizons for efficient resource management, quality control, and risk minimization.

Topics to discuss:

• Industry readiness: which technologies are already being adopted by major producers, and which remain at the pilot stage
• Barriers to implementation: high equipment costs, shortage of IT specialists in the sector, and producers’ conservatism
• Business needs: automation of routine operations, reduction of losses from diseases and suboptimal conditions, improved feed efficiency
• Future prospects: integration of IoT sensors, predictive analytics, and fully autonomous fish farming facilities

Purpose of the discussion: to assess the aquaculture industry’s readiness for AI adoption, identify business needs in digitalization, and outline practical steps for integrating neural networks, robotics, and artificial intelligence into production.

Event details:

Modern Russian aquaculture is diverse both in terms of species (carp, salmonids, invertebrates and macrophytes, sturgeons, whitefish, and others) and technologies, ranging from extensive (pasture-based) to highly intensive (RAS) systems. Such diversity should, in theory, ensure that aquaculture products are accessible to the population. However, compared with other agricultural products, the consumption of aquaculture products remains significantly lower. In most cases, this is due to the high cost of fish.

It is clear that raising aquaculture species is more complex than raising other types of livestock. It is more difficult to create favorable conditions, prevent and treat diseases, ensure effective feeding, and organize efficient logistics. In turn, high-tech, controlled production requires skilled personnel and significant investment in technological infrastructure, which often results in higher product costs. Thus, the affordability of aquaculture products is a contradictory issue involving many technological aspects.

In this context, the roundtable will discuss factors that could help reduce the production costs of aquaculture and increase profitability. In particular, the discussion will address the regionalization of aquaculture, taking into account natural and climatic conditions, as well as the resource provision of fish farms and logistics costs. Natural and climatic factors will be considered as the basis for selecting priority species and technologies for specific regions. Resource provision and logistics will be analyzed as components of effective production and supply chains – including the supply of fish farms with seed stock, high-quality feeds and equipment, as well as processing and distribution of products to the end consumer.

Speakers:

1. Maria Egorova, Deputy CEO – Commercial Director, JSC “GK MELKOM”
2. Viktoria Barinova, Head, Department of Aquaculture Technology and Regulation, VNIRO
3. Sevil Fakhrad Gyzy Naryshkina, Director of High-Performance Agro and Aquaculture Division, Skolkovo Foundation
4. Sergey Tyuvetsky, Quality Director, X5 Group
5. Alexey Dorin, CEO, LLC “Akvaproduct”
6. Vladimir Oksanichenko, CEO, JSC “Kala-Ranta”
7. Julian de Bondt, CEO and Head of Sales at Hesy Aquaculture B.V., Engineer

Event details:

With global competition on the rise, technological sovereignty is becoming a key to maintaining stable growth of Russia’s fishery industry. The investment quota campaign, which is not limited to fishing fleet modernization but covers the entire infrastructure for fish products processing and logistics, remains a critical driver for achieving this goal.

This expansion of growth options requires vigorous collaboration of all actors engaged in new projects. That is why the discussion will involve both shipbuilders/ship repair companies and producers of equipment for each stage of the supply chain: processing, packaging, storage and transportation of fish products.

Alongside with strategic initiatives, they will discuss practical steps for increasing local content of technology development and production optimization. This will provide a solid ground for long-term growth of the Russian fishery industry and make it more competitive in the global market.

Event details:

The event will focus on the discussion of the progressive growth of feed production in Russia, the reduction of import dependence, and the enhancement of raw material security amid increasing domestic consumption.

The presentation will also cover the development of innovations in feed formulations and assess the potential for further industry growth against the backdrop of stagnation in the production of marketable fish. Special attention will be paid to how domestic feed production can contribute to the resilience of the Russian fishing industry and the enhancement of its technological capacity.

Speaker:

1. Oleg Kashkarev, Sales Director, Limkorm Group LLC

Event details:

The baby food market in Russia is growing at an unprecedented pace, both in volume and money terms. The key reasons include growing awareness of young parents about the impacts of healthy nutrition on the physical and mental development of their children and the “green trend,” i.e. the craze for green and organic products that grow naturally without antibiotics and growth hormones and do not require any artificial additives or preservatives for processing.

It would seem that wild fish harvested by Russian fishermen in environmentally pristine areas should be the main source of protein for such products foods. Yet, as a matter of practice, the top-10 brands are barely expanding their product mix, and some producers do not make fish puree at all. At the same time, estimates of the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation show that the Russian market’s minimum demand, given the birth rate pattern, is around 85 mln cans per year, and if we go by the standards of the Ministry of Health – more than 150 mln per year, whereas the current volume of domestic production is tens of times less, at just around 4.5 mln cans.

The situation with milk formulas and functional nutrition for children is even more serious. In many countries worldwide the so-called “fish ingredients,” such as fish oil, fish meal, protein, vitamin and mineral complexes produced from fish and seafood, are widely used as additives for baby foods rich in vitamins, yet Russian manufacturers generate little to no demand for these products. It is noteworthy that lack of activity on the part of “specialized” manufacturers pushes large retailers to start their own brands. For example, VkusVill and Ozon Fresh both have a family of baby foods with fish puree. This sector obviously has a significant potential, and coordinated efforts of the state and business can stimulate growth of the fish market and long-term expansion of fish consumption by fostering a culture of consumption “from the cradle.” Beyond the economic benefits, this initiative offers a more far-reaching effect of building a healthy nation. Participants of the “Fish for Children” session of Global Fishery Forum 2025 will discuss whether creating a robust sector for baby food made with fish and fish ingredients in Russia is a realistic endeavor.

Topics to discuss:

• Findings of VARPE federal survey on the social media regarding the demand for baby food made with fish and fish ingredients.
• Opinions of healthcare professionals. Do pediatricians recommend fish to parents as the first complementary foods and why do baby food centers choose not to use “fish” puree?
• “How much fish is in the can”: a survey of baby food market.
• To buy or not to buy – that is the question. Why aren’t manufacturers interested in expanding their mix of “fish” baby food and retailers are?
• Children’s dietary supplements, milk formulas and functional nutrition with fish in Russia: growth point or dead weight?
• What are the ways to fuel growth of production of baby foods made with fish and fish ingredients in Russia? What kind of support do businesses want?

Speakers:

1. Igor Zubarev, Senator of the Federation Council, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy
2. Vladimir Solodov, Governor, Kamchatka Territory
3. Alexey Buglak, President, Pollock Catchers Association
4. Alexandra Gordeeva, Head of Client Services Group, Nielsen
5. Dmitry Klyuneev, Director, Fisheries Development Department, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
6. Anatoly Moiseev, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Propaedeutics of Childhood Diseases, Pirogov Medical University
7. Anatoly Khitrov, Owner, NPO Biomedical Innovative Technologies LLC

Event details:

The event will focus on discussing the current state and future prospects of genetic technologies and selective breeding in Russian aquaculture, aimed at improving product quality and output, as well as achieving technological sovereignty in the sector.

Topics to discuss:

• Implementation of integrated approaches – from genetics to farming conditions – as a guarantee of consistently producing high-quality seed stock
• Reducing dependence on imported seed material through domestic breeding and selection programs as the foundation of sustainable and efficient aquaculture development
• The vision for genetic programs focused on disease resistance, resilience to stress, and adaptation to changing environments
• Opportunities for applying innovative tools (SNP panels, genomic indexing) in working with promising aquaculture species
• Building effective cooperation between the scientific community, business, and the public sector to achieve technological sovereignty in the industry

Prospective speakers:

1. Nikolay Müge, PhD in Biology, Head of the Molecular Genetics Department, VNIRO (All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography)
2. Anna Belous, Director of VNIIR, Head of the Laboratory of Genetic Technologies in Agro- and Aquaculture, Federal Research Center VIZh named after L.K. Ernst
   Molecular genetic test systems for verifying the authenticity of parent forms of Siberian sturgeon (Lena population) to ensure more effective selection
3. Elena Moiseeva, Director, Ardon-Fish Trout Fry Production Company; Founder of FishLab Aquaculture School; Developer of the M2-Aquaculture Accounting Program
   What do trout producers expect from breeders?
4. Ekaterina Chernyaeva, Deputy Director, All-Russian Research Institute for Animal Breeding (VNIIPlem), PhD in Biology
   Genomic technologies in modern aquaculture: scientific foundations, international experience, and prospects for Russia
5. Anastasia Stepanova, Deputy CEO for Production, JSC "Plemzavod Adler"

Event details:

Event details will be released soon.

Despite the continued negative impact of unfriendly restrictions on foreign markets, export development remains one of the key conditions for the stability of the Russian fisheries sector. Export revenues account for approximately 70% of the industry's total income.

With the U.S. market closed to Russian fish products, the introduction of prohibitive import duties by the UK and EU countries, and other hostile measures, Russian fishing companies are actively exploring new export destinations.

In the first half of 2025, export volumes increased compared to the previous year. However, this progress has been accompanied by rising costs, which highlights the need for targeted support measures for Russian fish exports.

There is a pressing need to assist exporters in developing new markets and to formulate new approaches to promoting Russian fish products in the global marketplace.

Topics to discuss:

• Current and target structure of fishery product exports
• Efficiency and weight of exports in the sector’s financial performance
• Barriers to the development of fishery product exports
• Government incentives for fishery product exports
• Promising export destinations for fishery products

Prospective speakers:

1. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Maxim Markovich, Deputy Minister of Agriculture
3. Lyudmila Talabaeva, Member of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management
4. Konstantin Savenkov, Deputy Head of Rosselkhoznadzor
5. Mr. Lyu Daqiang, Chairman, Liao Yu Group Co.
6. Ilya Ilyushin, Head of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Agroexport
7. Stanislav Aksenov, Board Member of Russian Fishing Company and Russian Crab Group of Companies
8. Ilya Strokin, Executive Director, Audit and Consulting Company “Technologies of Trust” (TeDo) (formerly Russian branch of PwC)
9. Alexander Dupliakov, President, Crab Harvesters Association (ADA)
10. Alexey Buglak, President, Pollock Catchers Association
11. Alexander Panin, Chairman, Fish Union
12. Ivan Fetisov, General Director, Expo Solutions Group

Event details:

At present, salmonid fish species are one of the key drivers for attracting additional investment into the industry.

On the one hand, 2026 will see a campaign to reissue fishing plot agreements, within which domestic resource users harvest red fish.

On the other hand, the current strategy for the development of the fisheries industry envisions a significant increase in the production volumes of commercial aquaculture by 2030, primarily through trout and Atlantic salmon – its main species.

Achieving both goals requires the attraction of stable bank financing, which in turn calls for the development of coordinated approaches to hedging systemic risks inherent in both the harvesting and farming of salmonid fish species.

Topics to discuss:

• Natural risks associated with the harvesting and farming of red fish: current hedging mechanisms used by the industry
• Production risks caused by dependency on imported supplies (selective genetic material, feed, core assets for launching new production facilities): current status and future outlook
• Tools and solutions for mitigating these risks, including potential measures involving the capabilities of Sber’s ecosystem

Event details:

While ensuring the priority of supplying the domestic market with fish products, the development of exports remains one of the key conditions for the stability of the fisheries sector, with exports accounting for around 70% of the industry's revenue.

Russian fishing companies have managed to maintain the level of aquatic bioresource catch and the volume of fish product exports, despite the closure of the U.S. market, the introduction of prohibitive import duties by the UK, EU countries, and other unfriendly actions.

However, the promotion of Russian fish products to domestic consumers can play a crucial role in export development. A 10% increase in domestic sales of mass-market fish products would ease the pressure of Russian supply on foreign markets. This, in turn, would lead to price stabilization and growth in export prices, thereby improving the financial performance of exports.

How can this result be achieved?

Prospective speakers of the Plenary session:

1. Dmitry Patrushev, Deputy Chairman, Government of the Russian Federation
2. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
3. Sergei Dankvert, Head, Federal Veterinarian and Phytosanitary Supervisory Service
4. Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Oblast
5. German Zverev, President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE)
6. Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, General Secretary, VASEP
7. Turgay Türkyılmaz, Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye
8. Irina Zhachkina, First Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank