BarentsNews.com

Last week, general director of National Fish Resources Andrey Tarasenko visited Murmansk again. Wishing to take a closer look at the situation in the regional coastal fishery, Tarasenko invited local fishermen, fish processors and ship repairers to voice their opinions at a working meeting on October 16th.

Poor legal and organizational framework, lack of resources – these are the problems that hinder today the development of coastal fishery in the Murmansk region, where it should play an important role, both in economical and in social terms.

Under current conditions, coastal fishing cannot become profit-making unless some crucial points are resolved.

With fish migrating westwards during the year, it is either necessary to extend the fishing zone up to 50 km, or to create an appropriate processing infrastructure all along the coast.

Customs is another serious obstacle: all fish catches must be brought to Murmansk for customs procedures, making fishermen lose their time and money. A special working group for scrutinizing this problem is to be arranged, giving hope that customs issues will soon be settled on sites around the region.

At the same time, despite the promises of assistance made by the Moscow guest at the meeting, many believe that the real focus of Tarasenko’s visit to Murmansk was the seat of vice-governor on fisheries, which still remains vacant.