BarentsNews.com

A 45-tonne cargo of fresh cod was delivered last week to NortVerde fish processor, based in Murmansk. It was the first catch landed by the trawler “Tsivilsk” in the framework of a new project conceived by Russia’s State Fisheries Committee.

Under the project, 50% of the annual scientific quota is used to provide Russian fish-processing enterprises with raw material. “Tsivilsk” and four other vessels previously owned by Sevrybpromrazvedka, and now belonging to the federal state unitary enterprise National Fish Resources, will be supplying fresh cod to NortVerde till the year-end. Total amount of fish supplies is estimated at 400 tonnes, thus making 20% of the factory’s production capacity. The same scheme is to be continued in 2003.

NortVerde’s general director Sergey Vinogradov is enthusiastic about the things underway. Even though the amount of raw fish supplies does not look too impressive, Mr Vinogradov points at many positive sides of this cooperation. Scheduled fish supplies allow creating more jobs at the factory as well as in the fishing port. NortVerde's chief has also planned a considerable rise in wages for the factory staff, reaching 80-85%. Obtaining raw material on a regular basis makes long-term planning and production development possible. All these are essential factors for the resurgent local fish industry.