Russian Fisheries Agency sets objectives for aquaculture digitalization
MOSCOW. Aug 13 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency has determined the objectives for digitalization of fish farming.
The digitalization of the sector to increase its investment appeal and boost production was discussed at a meeting of the Fisheries Agency's public council, which is chaired by the president of fishing industry association VARPE, German Zverev, VARPE reported.
The council asked the agency to consider the use of state information systems, including the Aquavostok system, to optimize the process of generating and presenting reports in the area of aquaculture. Aquavostok, which is controlled by the Far East Development Ministry, is a service for selecting sites for aquaculture on the electronic map of Russia's Far East and North and processing applications to create such areas.
The agency said in its response, which is cited by VARPE, that it is necessary to additionally discuss the list of problems that need to be solved, formulate the technical specifications and determine the sources of financing for digitalization measures in aquaculture.
As for Aquavostok, the agency said it is interested in having the online resource be used when considering a number of technical issues that need to be resolved before the service is transferred to the Fisheries Agency.
"We will initiate the creation of an interagency working group to work out issues concerning the digitalization of aquaculture," Zverev was quoted as saying in the VARPE press release.
This work needs to be stepped up become all reporting in aquaculture is now done on paper, while in the fishing industry data can be transmitted through an electronic fishing log, which makes things far easier for businesses.
"While in fishing we are seeing substantial successes in digitalization that directly influence the reduction of businesses' costs, including the switch to electronic fishing permits, electronic reporting and transmission of daily vessel reports in real time, in aquaculture everything is done the old way," Zverev said.
He said reporting involves providing originals of certificates of output/removal of commercial fish and other seafood. Originals of reports must also be submitted to several regulatory bodies other than the Fisheries Agency. All this inhibits investment in the sector and the entry of new players and, consequently, the growth of production, Zverev said.
Production in Russia's aquaculture industry slumped 5% to 380,600 tonnes in 2024, which was the first drop in ten years, VARPE said. Aquaculture businesses, particularly those farming shellfish and echinoderms, have repeatedly said that overregulation of the sector is a barrier to investment and emergence of new businesses that is preventing the industry from fully realizing its potential.
There were 5,479 businesses working in Russia's fish farming sector as of August 1, 5.3% more than a year earlier, the association reported, citing Kontur.Focus data.
