Russian stern trawlers. (Photo Copyright: FIS)
After implementation of the August 2014 food ban, one the major objectives of the Russian government is to further develop the Russian fisheries sector not only to replace lost fish imports, but also to increase domestic fish and seafood production capacity, says a report from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
The goal stated in the Russian Food Security Doctrine is to increase capacity up to 80 percent by 2020. In pursuit of this objective, on 18 December 2014, the Russian government adopted Resolution No 1416 “On Introduction Amendments to the State Programme on the Development of the Russian Fishery Industrial Sector from 2013 till 2020.”
According to the amended document, the total budgetary allocation for implementation of the programme until 2020 will be increased by RUB 9.3 billion –from RUB 83.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion) to RUB 92.5 billion (USD 1,2 billion).
In general, the document sets objectives, tasks and major developments of the fisheries sector until 2020. It also highlights mechanisms for implementation of the activities in the sector and indicators to evaluate efficiency, the FAS report informs.
The amendments include the new 8th subprogramme on "Development of Sturgeon Farming" in addition to the following sub-programmes: "Organizing of Fishing," "Aquaculture Development," "Science and Innovation," "Protection and Control," "Modernization and Motivation," "Increase Efficiency for Use and Development of Resource Potential of the Fishery Sector," and "Providing Conditions to Ensure Implementation of the State programme."
In addition, a number of programme objectives were identified in more detail: to shift the Russian fishing industry away from its current focus on exportation of raw materials to a focus on innovative development with preservation (adding value), sustainable harvesting, the introduction of new technologies, development of import substitution sub-sectors, providing the share of domestically produced fish products in parameters set in the Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation, and ensure fish and seafood products produced in Russia compete locally and globally.
The goal stated in the Russian Food Security Doctrine is to increase capacity up to 80 percent by 2020. In pursuit of this objective, on 18 December 2014, the Russian government adopted Resolution No 1416 “On Introduction Amendments to the State Programme on the Development of the Russian Fishery Industrial Sector from 2013 till 2020.”
According to the amended document, the total budgetary allocation for implementation of the programme until 2020 will be increased by RUB 9.3 billion –from RUB 83.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion) to RUB 92.5 billion (USD 1,2 billion).
In general, the document sets objectives, tasks and major developments of the fisheries sector until 2020. It also highlights mechanisms for implementation of the activities in the sector and indicators to evaluate efficiency, the FAS report informs.
The amendments include the new 8th subprogramme on "Development of Sturgeon Farming" in addition to the following sub-programmes: "Organizing of Fishing," "Aquaculture Development," "Science and Innovation," "Protection and Control," "Modernization and Motivation," "Increase Efficiency for Use and Development of Resource Potential of the Fishery Sector," and "Providing Conditions to Ensure Implementation of the State programme."
In addition, a number of programme objectives were identified in more detail: to shift the Russian fishing industry away from its current focus on exportation of raw materials to a focus on innovative development with preservation (adding value), sustainable harvesting, the introduction of new technologies, development of import substitution sub-sectors, providing the share of domestically produced fish products in parameters set in the Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation, and ensure fish and seafood products produced in Russia compete locally and globally.
In addition, the following activities were introduced to the Programme:
- carrying out research works in the field of formation of infrastructure and development of fisheries sector;
- construction and reconstruction of fish-breeding plants;
- development of research and production base of aquaculture;
- reconstruction of objects of federal property;
- port construction of fish terminals in seaports;
- complex capital reconstruction of research vessels.
Budget finance of the state program is brought into accord with the federal budget for 2014 and for planning period of 2015 and 2016; and with the budget for 2015 and for planning period 2016 and 2017.
For 2018 -2020, budget finance is in compliance with recommendations of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation to limit expenses for implementation of state programs in 2018-2020.
Additional allocations of the federal budget are directed on implementation of activities under the following sub-programmes: "Aquaculture Development," "Science and Innovations," "Modernization and Motivation," and " Increase Efficiency of Use and Development of Resource Potential of the Fishery Sector.”
Due to the increase in budgetary appropriations from the federal budget, indicators were specified for the programme. Thus, the volume of production (catch) of water biological resources by 2020 is forecast at the level of 4.5 million tonnes (instead of 3.9 million tonnes) production of fish and fish processed and preserved products is also forecast to increase to 4.0 million tonnes by 2020 (instead of 3.4 million tonnes).
The share of locally produced fish products in the domestic market in 2020 will account for 80 percent that corresponds to the Russian Food Security Doctrine (approved by Decree No 120, signed by the President of Russia on 30 January, 2010). The average per capita consumption of fish and fish products of the population (according to sample survey of household budgets) will reach 22.7 kg by 2020.
Aquaculture production is expected to be 315,500 tonnes annually by 2020, rather than the previously set 150,000 tonnes
An annual assessment of implementation efficiency of the state program will be carried out, based on the use of system of indicators.