TODAY.AZ / Business

Caspian littoral states to be called for five-year moratorium on sturgeon fishing

28 March 2008 [10:33] - TODAY.AZ
Russia's State Fisheries Committee chief Andrei Krainy on Thursday called for a five-year moratorium on sturgeon fishing in the Caspian Sea, warning that the fish, whose eggs and meat are prized delicacies, faces extinction, Interfax reported.

Russia will ask the other Caspian Sea countries -- Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan -- to stop fishing for sturgeon, Krainy said, Interfax reported. The impact on these countries' budgets "would not be large," Krainy told reporters, Interfax said.

Russia is ready to stop sturgeon fishing in the Caspian entirely this year. Only 24 tons of Russia's 50-ton annual quota allowed for scientific purposes is filled, because so few fish remain, Krainy said, Interfax reported.

Krainy said that the committee would submit draft legislation to the government Thursday declaring all sturgeon in the wild to be state property.

/The Moscow Times/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/business/43854.html

Print version

Views: 1366

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: