Belarus and Russia plan to monitor fish populations on the Dnieper

Belarus and Russia plan to conduct monitoring work on ichthyological research on the Dnieper River. This was discussed during the Russian-Belarusian meeting on fisheries, research, protection and rational use of aquatic biological resources in transboundary water bodies, the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food told sb.by.

The parties discussed the cooperation program for 2027 in the field of fisheries. It is planned to include monitoring work on ichthyological research on the Dnieper River and the continuation of the exchange of genetic material to preserve the diversity of aquaculture objects.

The Belarusian delegation was headed by the head of the main department for the intensification of livestock and fishery activities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Natalia Sonich, the Russian delegation was headed by the head of the Moscow-Oka territorial administration of the Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) Alexander Khatuntsov.

“The adopted law of Belarus “On aquaculture (fish farming)” will contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for the implementation of aquaculture, increase the volume of production of aquaculture products and, above all, the production of other objects of aquaculture, except fish,” said Natalia Sonich.

The parties also exchanged information on changes in public administration structures and environmental legislation. The results of the implementation of plans for interaction between the territorial units of the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Animal and Vegetable World under the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Moscow-Oka, North-Western territorial administrations of Rosrybolovstvo for 2025-2027 are analyzed. The practice of state control for 8 months of 2026 is considered, including cases of bringing citizens to justice for violations of fishing rules in the territory of a neighboring country and facts of mass death of fish at cross-border facilities. In addition, the results of the programs of stocking and reclamation of transboundary water bodies, conducted on the recommendations of research institutes of Russia and Belarus, were summed up. Following the meeting, the parties signed a protocol.

Fish farming will receive state support. The Council of the Republic approved the draft law “On aquaculture”