Review

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1055/1



REVIEW OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS IN GEORGIA





FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2010

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ISBN 978-92-5-106640-9

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© FAO 2010

Khavtasi, M.; Makarova, M.; Lomashvili, I.; Phartsvania, A.; Moth-Poulsen, T.; Woynarovich, A.
Review of fisheries and aquaculture development potentials in Georgia.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular. No. 1055/1. Rome, FAO. 2010. 82 p.

Abstract

The present document is a follow-up to previous FAO technical assistance efforts in the sustainable development and management of the fishery and aquaculture sector in Georgia. It aims to call attention to and provide evidences of the fact that fisheries and aquaculture have substantial development potentials in Georgia. The country is rich in both marine and inland water resources, but the potentials of the fishery and aquaculture sector are far from being exploited. The country could multiply its fish production through improvements in the administration and supervision of marine fisheries and through enhanced implementation of the rules and regulations of inland fisheries together with reliable culture-based fisheries supported by well-managed hatcheries.

The review emphasizes that efficient and sustainable exploitation of potentials requires the concerted and coordinated attention and actions of decision-makers in the government administration and all actual and potential stakeholders of the Georgian fisheries and aquaculture sector. In order to achieve a tangible improvement, the following entry points have been identified and actions proposed. In the field of marine capture fisheries quick action is needed on assistance, to obtain export certification for fresh and processed Black Sea anchovy and to upgrade and optimize the fisheries inspection. Facilitating investment loans for the fishing fleet is another urgent task. The most obvious entry points for the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture are: finalization of the databases of surface water resources, survey of fish farm facilities, establishment of a reliable fish seed production network and rehabilitation of the Geguti Sturgeon Hatchery. In sector management, an updated administrative structure and upgraded Georgian fisheries laws and regulations could fix existing loopholes and provide for sustainable development and responsible management of aquatic resources.

The review also presents the widest possible range of data and information in order to facilitate the identification and utilization of further areas of fisheries and aquaculture development in the country.

To that end, detailed lists of actual and potential natural and social resources are presented and discussed, together with the most important determining factors of sector administration, management and business performance.

Keywords: water resources, fish fauna, marine and inland fisheries, aquaculture, sustainable development potentials, sector administration and management, Georgia, Caucasus

Contents

Preparation of this document
Abstract
List of tables and boxes in text and tables in Annexes
Acknowledgement
Abbreviations and acronyms
Forewords

1. INTRODUCTION

2. ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL RESOURCES OF THE FISHERY AND AQUACULTURE SECTOR

2.1 Geography and climate
2.2 Population
2.3 Agriculture
2.4 Water resources
2.5 Fishes of Georgia

3. PRESENT STATUS OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION

3.1 Marine capture fisheries
3.2 Inland capture fisheries and aquaculture
3.3 Recreational fisheries
3.4 Facilitating industries

4. STATUS OF PROCESSING AND TRADING OF FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS

4.1 Fish processing and storage
4.2 Distribution and marketing of fish and fish products
4.3 Fish trade
4.4 Fish demand and consumption

5. GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS

5.1 Fisheries administration
5.2 Fisheries and aquaculture education, training, extension and research
5.3 Fisheries and aquaculture statistics
5.4 Institutions of fisheries and aquaculture
5.5 International cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture development and management

6. POLICY, REGULATORY AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS

6.1 Fisheries and aquaculture policies and planning
6.2 Fisheries and aquaculture legal and regulatory framework
6.3 Fisheries and aquaculture management

7. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

7.1 Employment in fisheries and aquaculture
7.2 Economics of fisheries and aquaculture
7.3 Credit and investment in fisheries and aquaculture
7.4 The role of fisheries and aquaculture in food security and poverty alleviation

8. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS IN THE FISHERY AND AQUACULTURE SECTOR

8.1 Development potentials of marine capture fisheries
8.2 Development potentials of inland capture fisheries and aquaculture

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES