The Astrakhan Region plans to involve fishing enterprises in the artificial reproduction of vobla (Caspian roach), whose stocks and catches are falling catastrophically. The development of the technology is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2022.

According to the Volga-Caspian branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), the stocks of vobla – a once-abundant fish that in Russia is caught only in the Astrakhan Region – stand at 23,000 tons. The reasons for this are winters with little snow, low water levels, and non-compliance with the so-called fishery shelves – the optimal timing and volume of the spring flood for the fish. The species is in depression, with negative dynamics expected to persist in the future.

"The situation regarding the vobla is alarming. If we fall below the stock indicator of 20,000 tons, a moratorium on catching will be necessary," Ruslan Pashaev, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Astrakhan Region, said at a press conference. "For now, there will be no bans; I am against this, as instead of honest fishermen, poachers will start catching vobla. Our proposal is different – to engage in the artificial reproduction of vobla."

Artificial reproduction of this fish has never been carried out before, but according to the Ministry of Agriculture, it could yield results, just as the artificial breeding of bream and wild carp – species that currently dominate catches – has borne fruit.

"We strongly requested our scientists to take a comprehensive approach: allocate funds and specialists for this work; in the spring, we will begin developing the technology, and fishermen are ready to participate in the project," said Ruslan Pashaev.

"Winning this competition is an additional incentive to expand production. I am glad that Astrakhan brands confidently maintain leading positions at the federal level," noted Igor Babushkin, Governor of the Astrakhan Region.