Importance of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in Georgia

Abstract

The economic downturn in the 1990s and early 2000s associated with thebreak-up of the Soviet Union had a negative impact on Georgianfisheries. Both marine and freshwater fisheries and aquaculture sufferedconsiderable decline. The Georgian fishing fleet deteriorated. The roleof state institutions in fisheries management weakened and funding ofscientific research diminished. Economic and institutional problems hada negative effect on the state of aquatic bio-resources. The excessiveand relentless use of living resources, use of illegal fishing gear anddegradation of coastal ecosystems led to a considerable reduction infish stocks, while the number of vulnerable and endangered speciesincreased. Starting from the new millennium the attitude has changed. In2004-2005 the 15-year plan for the development of the ecosystem approachto fisheries in Georgia was initiated with support from the FAO. AGeorgian law on fisheries and aquaculture has been introduced.Discussions on responsible fisheries and an aquaculture code have alsostarted, but are still pending. On the other hand, the fisheriesdepartment of the Ministry of Agriculture was abolished and the singlefisheries research institute met a similar fate. Fisheries regulationcame under the authority of the ministry of environment. There is stilla lot to be done in order to establish an ecosystem approach tofisheries in Georgia. First of all, the legislative base must beaddressed, including the Georgian law on fisheries, which would considersuch issues as long-term sustainable development of fisheries, aresponsible code of conduct for fishermen, monitoring and managementstructures at the national level, allocation of resources andapplication of scientific approaches in development of fisheries,aquaculture and mariculture.