(Seafood.com) The Russian government has summarized the results of 2011 year for the domestic fishery industry and provided preliminary forecasts for its development in 2012. Although catch levels have been rising only about 3% a year, consumption has been rocketing upward. In 2011, per capita fish consumption increased nearly 5%, and is now almost equal to consumption in soviet times, of 23 kg per capita.
This has largely come about through increased domestic usage of Russian catches, and this trend is impacting the international market. For example, at the recent NFI Global Seafood Market conference, the increased retention of Russian cod for domestic consumption was put forward as the most plausible explanation as to why international cod prices remain high in the face of huge increases in global supplies. The domestic usage of Russian fish has also been accelerated by a government campaign to reduce imports, resulting in an overall reduction of imports of 11% in 2011.
Viktor Zubkov, First Deputy Prime Minister, said that gross Russian catch in 2012 should reach at least 4.3 million tons, compared to 4.23 million tonnes in 2011. in 2010, it was 4.1 million tons.
At the same time the volume of fish production in Russia in 2011 reached 4.5 million tons, which is 7.5% more compared to 2010. Average wages in the industry reached RUB 300,000 rubles a year (USD$10,000).
Imports of fish and fishery products in 2011 fell by 11% from 889,000 tonnes in 2010 to 790,000 tons in 2011. Statistics also show that Russians began to eat more seafood. The per capita fish consumption in 2011 was 22 kilogram, which is 1 kilogram more than in 2010.
According to Zubkov, the achievement of such results were mainly due to a set of measures, which were implemented by the government in recent years, with the aim of support of the domestic fishery industry.
Just last year 5 laws, 50 decrees and orders, regulating the work of fisheries, were adopted by the government. In addition, an important role in the development of fisheries sector has played the adoption of a federal target program, which is comprised of 14 target criteria for the development of the Russian fishing industry.
Among the most important industry items, which are expected to be considered by the government in 2012 is the design of legislation for off-shore fishing, fishing as part of international treaties etc.
According to Zubkov, further law making will create a favorable business environment in the industry and remove excessive administrative barriers.
In addition, in February of this year the 3rd All-Russian Congress of Fishermen will be held in Moscow, where some important decisions for the industry could be taken.