Fish farming and fishing industry development in the Dnipropetrovsk Region (Ukraine): Current problems and future prospects

Abstract. Based on ichthyologic and fishery researches and our own observations during 2015–2021 in the reservoirs of the Dnipro and the processing of official statistics, we provide original data on the state of fisheries in the region. We analyzed the global tendencies and directions in the growth of consumption of fish products. It is noted that the main trajectory in the development of the fishing industry is the development of aquaculture. Over the recent years, in the area of the fishery in the Dnipro river region, the production has significantly declined (by 2.5–4.0 times). Over the last 10 years, 1/3 of the farms have not been able to adapt to work in the new economic conditions and have become unprofitable. In 2020, 473,149 tons of fish products were grown in Dnipropetrovsk region, which is one of the lowest figures in the recent years. Not a single kilogram of fish products was obtained in pools and breeding ponds. Such facts clearly indicate the negative tendency in aquaculture of the region. Growing fish is becoming a non-profit business. In the absence of any special-purpose state aid to fishery, the latter will collapse inevitably. By means of commercial fishing (fishery), 1,939,463 tons of fish and 1,131 tons of crayfish in the reservoirs of Dnipropetrovsk region were caught officially. It is noted that the total value of these aquatic bioresources at the exchange price is only 10.76 million UAH. The cost of aquatic bioresources in Ukraine today is extremely low. This stimulates the development of commercial fishery and prompts the growth of illegal and undocumented fishery. The growing role of recreational (amateur) fishing in the use of aquatic bioresources of Ukrainian reservoirs is noted. It is proposed to introduce month, seasonal, annual permission for recreational and sport fishing. The estimated amount of economic contribution to the budget of Ukraine from amateur fishermen of the Dnipro region for fishing permissions can be at least 10million UAH per year. This is quite comparable to the state profit from commercial fishing in the reservoirs of Dnipropetrovsk region. We propose measures to support state fishery in the Dnipro river region, to improve the existing approaches to fishery and aquaculture.