Fisheries development: Government endorses operational plan to implement the Strategy

The fisheries sector has received a clear action plan for the next four years. The relevant resolution “On the Approval of the Operational Plan of Measures for the Implementation in 2026–2029 of the Strategy for the Development of the Fisheries Sector of Ukraine until 2030” was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on March 12.

Key priorities include the development of aquaculture, increasing the volume of aquatic biological resources harvested, improving the fish productivity of inland water bodies, streamlining the sector’s management system, and creating favorable conditions for entrepreneurship.

“The approval of the new operational plan is an important step for the development of Ukraine’s fisheries sector. The document sets clear priorities for state policy in the coming years: from improving the efficiency of aquatic biological resource use to developing aquaculture and increasing the production of high-quality fish products. This will contribute to strengthening the country’s food security, developing the domestic market, and increasing the industry’s competitiveness,” noted Taras Vysotsky, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.

It is expected that the implementation of the plan will make it possible to increase domestic fish production, strengthen the domestic market and reduce its dependence on imports, as well as enhance the industry’s contribution to the country’s food security. The document will also help further align state policy in this area with the principles of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.

Background information

The Strategy for the Development of Ukraine’s Fisheries Sector for the Period up to 2030 was approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on May 2, 2023. Its preparation took into account the provisions of the Program of Activities of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Sustainable Development Goals through 2030, and Ukraine’s obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union regarding the management of aquatic biological resources. The document defines long-term directions for the development of fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on the sustainable development of the sector, the rational use and restoration of aquatic biological resources, as well as improving the efficiency of fisheries activities.

The implementation of the Strategy is also aimed at gradually aligning Ukrainian legislation and management practices in the fisheries sector with European Union standards and the principles of sustainable use of aquatic biological resources.