The governor of the Kamchatka Territory, Vladimir Solodov, appealed to the head of Rosrybolovstvo, Ilya Shestakov, with a demand to stop commercial salmon fishing, which is conducted by the department’s own structure, Glavrybvod, on the depleted Paratunka River. The current situation causes acute discontent among the local population and, according to the head of the region, may lead to social outrage.
The problem is that salmon stocks in the Paratunka and Avacha rivers have been in a depressed state for many years. Strict restrictions have been introduced to preserve them in the Avacha Bay basin: industrial and amateur fishing with nets is completely prohibited, and the terms of traditional fishing have been significantly reduced for indigenous peoples. Against the background of these measures, the activities of Glavrybvod, which continues commercial fishing on an industrial scale, look paradoxical and create an excessive burden on the fish population.
The Northeastern branch of Glavrybvod Federal State Budgetary Budgetary Institution, whose tasks include the artificial reproduction of aquatic biological resources, has the largest fish hatchery in Kamchatka on Paratunka. However, the company conducts commercial salmon production at its fish hatchery. Moreover, Glavrybvod plans to create a fish processing production line right on the territory of the plant, which the governor considers absolutely unacceptable.
Fishing conducted by a government agency not only depletes stocks, but also creates direct interference for citizens. The fishing methods used almost completely block the river, not ensuring proper passage of fish to spawning grounds. It also blocks the operation of the nearby fishing area for fishing rods, one of the most popular recreation areas for residents of Kamchatka and for visitors to the peninsula.
In his letter, Vladimir Solodov emphasizes that Glavrybvod’s commercial activities in the most densely populated region of the region, against the background of the strictest prohibitions for all others, undermine public confidence in the actions of the authorities. The situation is perceived as unfair and can provoke social tension.
The head of the region suggests a specific solution: to completely eliminate commercial Glavrybvoda net fishing on the Paratunka River for the entire period of restrictions approved by the salmon fishing strategy. It is proposed to transfer the industrial activities of the institution to other reservoirs where fish stocks are in stable condition and do not require emergency conservation measures.