Since February 10, 2026, staff members of the LLP “Fisheries Scientific and Production Center” — including Expedition Team Leader  Karlybaiuly S., Researcher Igilik R. , Junior Researchers Otegen S. and Maratuly K., and Laboratory Assistant Abishev N. — have been conducting comprehensive winter research in the waters of the Alakol Lake System (ALS). These activities are being carried out within the framework of Program 021 (Subprogram 100) and Program-Targeted Funding (PTF).

Kulenova Sh.B., Chief Specialist of the Alakol Fishery Inspection Department of the Balkhash-Alakol Interregional Basin Fishery Inspection (BAIBFI), is participating in the research activities across the lakes of the system (Alakol, Koshkarkol, and Sasykkol).

During the field mission, the team is collecting ichthyological, hydrobiological, and hydrochemical samples at monitoring stations. Additionally, they are conducting echo-sounding monitoring of fish wintering grounds, monitoring commercial fishing activities, and analyzing catch data.

These comprehensive studies will continue until March 6, 2026.

     As part of the implementation of the Law “On Aquaculture,” amendments have been made to the Rules for Lending to Projects in the Agro-Industrial Complex (Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 322, dated August 31, 2023).Budget lending is now provided at a 2.5% annual interest rate for projects involving the establishment of new farms or the expansion of existing ones engaged in aquaculture cultivation with a production capacity of at least 25 tons per year.
     This measure is designed to stimulate the development of aquaculture, enhance the industry’s investment attractiveness, and increase the volume of domestic fish production. Preferential financing creates additional opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in implementing fisheries projects and contributing to the sustainable development of the country’s agro-industrial complex.
For more details: Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 322 dated August 31, 2023, “On Approval of the Rules for Lending to Projects in the Agro-Industrial Complex”

Since February 10, 2026, a team from the “Fisheries Scientific and Production Center” LLP—led by Expedition Chief Zh. M. Bakkozha, alongside researchers D. S. Bekturov and A. T. Khalelov—has been conducting comprehensive winter research on local water bodies in the Zhambyl region. These activities are being carried out under Program 021 (Subprogram 100). The primary goal is to assess the state of commercial stocks and determine the distribution of fish and other aquatic biological resources across the local waters of the Zhambyl region.

The expedition team is currently performing integrated hydrochemical, hydrobiological, and ichthyological studies, including:

• Physico-geographical and hydrological profiling of the water bodies;

• Analysis of the hydrochemical regime;

• Assessment of the forage base (food supply) status;

• Identification of fish species composition within the regional waters.

T.T. Barakbayev, PhD, Deputy General Director of the “Fisheries Scientific and Practical Center” LLP, gave an interview to the 24KZ TV channel. The discussion focused on the current challenges, strategic issues, and the future outlook for the development of Kazakhstan’s fisheries sector.

Under the state support program, aquaculture entities are eligible for subsidies covering 30% of the costs incurred for the purchase of feed used in fish farming. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant must obtain a positive conclusion from a specialized expert group confirming the availability of necessary infrastructure and compliance with subsidy conditions. This expert group is formed by local executive bodies; therefore, applicants must contact their respective local authority to initiate the review process.

To receive subsidies, farms must submit their applications through the “Electronic Government” web portal or the State Information System of the Agro-Industrial Complex (GIS AIC).

Key Verification and Compliance Measures:

• Feed Purchase Validation: The purchase of feed is verified through the automated integration of the GIS AIC with the Electronic Invoicing Information System (IS ESF), based on the availability of relevant electronic invoices.

• Production Confirmation: A critical requirement is the confirmation of aquaculture production volumes for the previous and/or current year. This data, retrieved from the GIS AIC and IS ESF, ensures that subsidies for feed are not granted prior to the sale of products, thereby confirming the intended use of the feed in the production process.

• Veterinary Documentation: Mandatory verification of veterinary documents is conducted via the “e-Agriculture” system. This includes a veterinary certificate for feed purchased from domestic producers or an international veterinary certificate for imported feed.

• Sturgeon Farming (CITES): For farms engaged in breeding sturgeon species and their hybrids, data regarding the artificial breeding of species listed in Appendices I and II of the CITES Convention must be confirmed through the “E-licensing” state database.

These measures are designed to promote the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry, improve product quality, and ensure the transparency of state support mechanisms through the digitalization of processes.

Detailed information regarding the terms and procedures for subsidies, as well as applicant requirements, can be found in the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 1, 2025, No. 412, “On Approval of the Rules for Subsidizing the Increase in Productivity and Quality of Aquaculture Products, and the Development of Pedigree Fish Farming,” available on official legal resources.

Saule Assylbekova is the first and only Doctor of Biological Sciences in Kazakhstan specializing in “Fisheries and Aquaculture.”

She earned her degree as an “ichthyologist-fish breeder” from the Astrakhan Technical Institute of the Fishing Industry and Economics. Since 1990, her career has been inseparable from the National Scientific and Practical Center for Fisheries, where she rose from senior laboratory assistant to First Deputy General Director.

In 2006, Assylbekova was awarded the degree of Candidate of Biological Sciences for her thesis, “Changes in the Ichthyocenoses of Lake Balkhash as a Result of the Acclimatization of Predatory Fish Species.” In 2018, she was elected as an Academician of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and in 2023, she was granted the title of Professor in “Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.”

For many years, her work has been focused on key industry objectives: the conservation, reproduction, and sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s fish resources, the advancement of aquaculture, and the practical implementation of research findings. Under her scientific leadership, strategic programs and grant projects aimed at developing the domestic fishing industry are being successfully implemented.

She is the author and co-author of over 400 scientific publications, including articles, methodological recommendations, 8 monographs and textbooks, as well as more than 70 patents for inventions and utility models. Her work is actively utilized in industrial practice and the educational process.

Saule Assylbekova serves as an FAO expert and participates in international projects dedicated to sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development.

Saule Zhangirovna’s scientific biography is a prime example of professional leadership, dedication to science, and service to national interests. Her contribution to the development of fisheries and aquaculture rightfully holds a distinguished place in the history of agricultural science in Kazakhstan. 

On January 27, 2026, a meeting was held at the Balkhash-Alakol Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspectorate (BAIBFI) following a proposal from the Public Association (PA) “Federation of Sport Fishing” and the Non-profit Organization (NPO) “Kazakhstan Tourism Association” regarding the introduction of a temporary moratorium on commercial fishing due to the ecological and socio-economic situation of the Kapshagai Reservoir.

• The meeting was attended by:
• Deputy Head of the Balkhash-Alakol Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspectorate (BAIBFI), Kaldayeva A.N.;
• Deputy General Director of the LLP Fisheries Research and Production Center, Barakbaev T.T.;
• Head of the Ichthyology Laboratory of the LLP Fisheries Research and Production Center, Sansyzbaev E.T.

Following the meeting, a decision was made to designate recreational zones for sport and amateur fishing near the city of Konayev on the Kapchagai Reservoir. This decision aims to create new opportunities for fishing enthusiasts and attract more people wishing to spend time at the water body.

In the Republic, government support measures are being implemented aimed at reducing the cost of aquaculture products, increasing their productivity and quality, as well as developing broodstock fish farming.

Government support is provided through reimbursement of part of the actual production costs:

• 30% of expenses — for the purchase of feed used in the cultivation of aquaculture objects;
• 50% of expenses — for:

purchase of juveniles;

purchase and maintenance of broodstock (RMS, Repair and Maintenance Stock);

conducting aquaculture-biological justification (ABJ, Aquaculture-Biological Justification);

purchase of veterinary drugs used in aquaculture.

• How to Submit an Application?
• Application period: from February 1 to December 20
• Submission: online via the “e-Government” portal and Agro-Industrial Complex Information System (AIC ISS)
• Review: in order of receipt
• Payment: within the limits of the local budget
• Requirements: availability of Electronic Digital Signature (EDS) and a personal account in AIC ISS
• Main Conditions for Receiving Support:

 ⸙ Availability of production infrastructure (confirmed by a group of specialists);

 ⸙ Availability of confirmed electronic invoices or customs documents (for imports);

 ⸙ Confirmation of aquaculture production volumes;

 ⸙ Photo and video documentation of production processes (juveniles, Repair and Maintenance Stock (RMS), product sales).

• Detailed conditions are in the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture (MA) of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) dated November 1, 2025, № 412, and also on the official online resources of local executive bodies.

From January 15 to 24, 2026, under Program 019 “Implementation of Innovative Technologies for Broodstock Preparation to Obtain Food Caviar by the Lifetime Method to Increase the Range and Volume of Legal Sturgeon Products and Enhance Their Export and Domestic Potential in the Mangistau Region,” comprehensive work on sturgeon fish grading is being carried out at LLP NPP “Kazakh Osseter.”

According to the calendar plan of the program, the following work is carried out by the Scientific Researcher of the Aquaculture Laboratory of LLP FRPC, Maratova G.M., and the Technologist of LLP NPP “Kazakh Osseter”:

•      Tagging of caviar females using PIT tags;
•      Grading and selection of caviar females;
•      Installation work and preparation of the wintering complex;
•      Adaptation of fish and their stocking for wintering;
•      Systematic monitoring of the hydrochemical regime of the water, including measurement of temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration, as well as assessment of other key water quality indicators necessary to maintain optimal fish rearing conditions;
• Carrying out the important and key work — organizing and ensuring optimal wintering conditions for caviar females to facilitate the production of high-quality food caviar.