FISHCap workshop explores the sustainable development of fish farming in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Almaty – In the Republic of Kazakhstan, fish production has declined to about half its former level at the end of the Soviet period. Over the last two decades, particularly the inland capture aquaculture industry has entered a phase of downward trend. However, with some fluctuations, over the period 2016–2019, Kazakhstan’s total fishery production rose from 43 213 tonnes to 52 572 tonnes. This growth was attributed to an increase in capture production from 41 335 tonnes to 45 645 tonnes and expansion of aquaculture production from 1 878 tonnes to 6 933 tonnes. In 2019, Kazakhstan’s per capita fish consumption was 14.6 kg.
With its rich inland water resources and numerous opportunities to invest in aquaculture and recreational fisheries, Kazakhstan deserves closed attention. The ongoing Fisheries Development Programme for 2021–2030 aims to increase the volume of fish cultivation, the domestic consumption of fish and fishery products, and export of these products. Within the scope of the Fisheries Development Programme, the Government of Kazakhstan proposes a series of interventions to improve farmer’s access to high-quality, cost-effective feed and fingerlings, and to improve support services (e.g. management and governance frameworks, fish health and veterinarian services etc.).
On 13–18 March 2023, a workshop was organized in support of Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop the country’s aquaculture sector. The workshop forms part of the project “Capacity Development for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management in Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye – FISHCap”, which operates under the auspices of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP II). The workshop was conducted in partnership with the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan by the fish breeding school “Balyq Mektep” LLP.
The workshop was held in Esik City in the Enbekshikazakh district of Almaty region. The objective was to explore the potential for aquaculture development in Kazakhstan and discuss the implementation of the Kazakh Fisheries Development Programme (2021–2030) which aims to support and promote aquaculture development in the country. Participants were provided with a detailed overview of aquaculture production systems for carp, sturgeon and trout, aquatic animal health management and freshwater fish diseases. The participants also had an opportunity to visit fish farms and observe aquaculture production practices.
The workshop helped to increase awareness of the potential of aquaculture to support increased national fish production, and to improve understanding of species culture and fish production techniques suitable for use in Kazakhstan. The participants included business entities, technical specialists, fish farmers and potential investors, all of whom had an opportunity to learn about the establishment of new aquaculture operations and to exchange knowledge and experience.
About the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes
The objectives of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and other countries of mutual interest.
Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefited from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Türkiye and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015.
In 2014, Türkiye and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Türkiye’s total contribution to USD 30 million.
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