KYIV. June 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The State Fish Agency and experts from the Reforms Delivery Office have drawn up a bill proposing the creation of the fishing industry promotion fund, the budget of which tentatively could be UAH 50 million a year.
“In 2016, only for violation of fishing rules fishing industry saw UAH 35 million of losses and UAH 3.8 million of finds were imposed. In addition, compensation for industrial fish catch and dredging works is paid. However, these funds are diluted in the budget. They are not used to restore fish stocks. The fund would help to use the funds generated by the sector for its development,” Head of the State Fish Agency Yarema Kovaliv said at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to preliminary calculations, the funds’ annual budget could be around UAH 50 million. The sources of financing of the fund will be fees for the use of water bio resources, administrative fines for violation of legislation on protection of water bio resources, refunding of damage, contributions by international organizations, charitable contributions and other sources.
“When the money reaches the fund, it will be distributed for top priority goals. The supervisory board consisting of representatives of the state, scientific circles and civil society will consider the projects where the money goes. Among them are scientific researches, restoration of fish stocks in water reservoirs, maintenance of fish patrol agencies and support of fish farmers,” he said.
The agency expects that when the fund starts operating, in three or five years the agency will be able to fully finance its needs without attracting additional financing from the general fund of the national budget.
Kovaliv said that now some UAH 140 million is required to provide for minimum need of fish patrol in new equipment.
“The optimal sum is close to UAH 200 million. Some UAH 300 million is required to fully satisfy the need, and in fact the Fish Agency received UAH 40 million this year,” he said.
