Aquaculture drives the industry and is rapidly developing in Russia and Eurasia. Nevertheless, the sector needs support measures and international cooperation for sustainable development. This topic was discussed by experts at a conference held as part of the V Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo on 22 September. The event was moderated by Director of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s Department of Agro-Industrial Policy Armen Harutyunyan.

Oleg Kobyakov, Director of the FAO Russia Office, shared the latest information about trends in the cultivation and consumption of fish and seafood in Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries. He also spoke about the correlation between aquaculture and the sustainable development goals that are being implemented, primarily as regards overcoming hunger and preserving ecosystems. He said aquaculture could have a positive impact on both global and national markets, and such changes are already underway in Russia. 

This was confirmed by Federal Agency for Fisheries Deputy Director Vasily Sokolov, who stated that more active collaboration between EAEU states will help accelerate the sector’s growth and ensure its stability. In particular, he noted that countries need to develop partnership infrastructure, build up joint experience, and cooperate in the production of feed, planting material, and veterinary drugs. He also noted the importance of academic cooperation among countries, such as student exchanges and internships at enterprises in EAEU countries. Harutyunyan said this process is already underway and will continue. 

Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation representative Alexey Mlynchik spoke about prospects for cooperation for the further development of the sector. He said there are plans to open nine joint Russian-Belarusian feed production enterprises by 2025. To provide fish farms with everything they need right now, Digital Fishing Technologies CEO Ivan Pekshev proposed that aquaculture enterprises join a digital platform that not only offers tools to buy goods and services, but also provides users with up-to-date information on warehouse inventories, data on trials, and the ability to receive lending and subsidize purchases.

Sergey Mitin, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Committee on Agrarian Food Policy and Environmental Management, commented on support measures that the state is already implementing or plans to introduce, as well as legislative initiatives to optimize cooperation within the EAEU.

Alexey Myshkin, Director of the Freshwater Fisheries Branch at the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, devoted his speech to minnows and carps, the most popular aquaculture item in Russia today. In addition to an overview of various types of fish that partners from the EAEU may be interested in breeding, he spoke about the experience that has been gained jointly with Belarusian enterprises from breeding and cultivation, which resulted in a 20% increase in productivity.