"The Federal Agency for Fishery has been instructed to finalise the draft law on amateur and sport fishing and submit it to the government," Viktor Zubkov said during the meeting on the development of fisheries in Russia's inland waters.

"The draft law must unconditionally stipulate citizens' right to free-of-charge fishing and provide for a balance of interests between citizens and the legitimate users of bodies of water. This issue was discussed in detail last week when it was considered at the State Duma," the deputy prime minister said.

The participants in the meeting also discussed the draft Concept for the Development of Fisheries in Russia's Inland Waters until 2020, prepared by the Federal Agency for Fishery.

Viktor Zubkov emphasised that the concept and its implementation plan should include specific measures to develop the basic assets of fisheries, modernise the fishing fleet, reduce production costs, introduce an efficient logistics scheme for the shipment of fish products, and create additional processing, refrigerating, and storage facilities. The commission also highlighted the need to improve the efficiency of the fishing control agencies and to identify specific measures to combat poaching in inland waters.

"The Federal Agency for Fishery should work jointly with regional and municipal authorities to implement these measures. This work should result in increased fish production in inland waters. A total of 130,000 tonnes of fish was produced in 2010, which accounts for only 60% of the allowable catch. This means that there is significant room to increase production," Viktor Zubkov said at the conclusion of the meeting.

The commission also discussed issues of aquaculture development in Russia. Viktor Zuvkov emphasised the need for more state support to fisheries and ordered the Federal Agency for Fishery to finalise as soon as possible a modern legislative framework for aquaculture development.

"During the spring session, the Federal Agency for Fishery should ensure the adoption of the law On Aquaculture. It is important to intensify the work on the sub-programme on aquaculture development under the state programme The Development of the Fishing Industry between 2012 and 2020. It is necessary to consider various measures of state support for fisheries and set production targets. The annual production of 100,000-130,000 tonnes over the last five years is an extremely low rate considering the potential of Russia's waters," Viktor Zubkov said.