The meeting participants discussed practical issues related to seizing, confiscating and disposing of aquatic biological resources fished illegally and of the tools and fishing tackle used by poachers in the illegal fishing of aquatic biological resources. The meeting also considered proposals on enhancing state control, supervision, protection and reproduction of aquatic biological resources, as well as fishery regulations.
"Efforts against poaching must include the whole range of comprehensive measures, namely improving legislation, fostering international cooperation on countering illegal, unregistered and unregulated fishing, and daily work of all the bodies concerned," the First Deputy Prime Minister said opening the meeting.
Mr Zubkov noted that "the Federal Security Service and the Ministry of the Interior have developed an effective mechanism of disposing of confiscated aquatic bio-resources." "Proposals on enhancing this mechanism need to be thoroughly worked out," the First Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
Mr Zubkov said he highly valued the FSS Border Service's work in protecting Russia's marine bio-resources, noting that its efforts had become increasingly effective lately.
"At the same time, it is necessary to accelerate the adoption of laws on preserving sturgeon and on countering poaching, as well as the conclusion of international agreements, taking additional measures to boost the efficiency of protecting aquatic bio-resources in internal reservoirs," the First Deputy Prime Minister said.
The meeting participants approved the Commission's Action Plan for the second half of 2009.
According to Mr Zubkov, it is necessary to keep applying efforts to improve the legal and regulatory framework, namely to accurately map the borders of Russian seaports. As an example, Mr Zubkov told the meeting about the border registration of salmon fry by a company in the Murmansk Region. "A business was started, with considerable effort and funds invested, but existing legislation became an insuperable barrier for that company. On the face of it, it's nobody's fault, but now that such a problem has emerged, we must follow up shortly. We should not address such problems hastily, but take systemic measures, which is particularly relevant during the current financial crisis," Mr Zubkov underscored.