FAO marks the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Uzbekistan

The workshop was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in part within the scope of the FISHCap project (Capacity Building for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management in Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkey). The FISHCap project is part of the FAO-Turkey Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP II), funded by the Government of the Republic of Turkey and aims to encourage collaboration between the private and public sectors.

“Celebrating International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture gives important recognition to the millions of small-scale fishers, fish farmers and fish workers who provide healthy and nutritious food to billions of people and contribute to achieving food security. This initiative is also an opportunity to enhance dialogue between small-scale producers of fish production. It is important to make their voices heard at all levels, so they can influence the decisions and policies that shape their everyday lives”, Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative noted.

The workshop provided a platform for FAO experts, experts  from the State Committee of Veterinary and Livestock Development and Association “Uzbekbaliqsanoat”, professors, scientific researchers and fish farmers to discuss prospects for the development of domestic fish farming and aquaculture as well as activities planned to promote artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in the country.

“Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sector collectively produce a great bulk of global fish production while providing 90 percent of sectoral employment. There are some views that the sector has been largely ignored in policy, governance and development. However, there has been increasing focus and importance given to the sector over the last decade. FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, enforced in 2014 by FAO, is a landmark success in due recognition of the sector. The sector needs to position itself to overcome the increasing challenges while considering new development opportunities”, said Haydar Fersoy, FAO Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer.

Following the workshop, participants were invited to visit the exhibition of scientific developments and achievements in intensive aquaculture in Uzbekistan. They also became familiar with the structural subdivisions of the Research Institute of Fisheries, including the laboratory complex established with FAO support, aquariums, hatchery, sturgeon and other facilities.