How do I get a CITES scientific opinion?
The rules for issuing and obtaining a CITES scientific opinion are available on our website in the CITES section (https://fishrpc.kz/?p=575), where you can also download the CITES application form.
NPCRH LLP’s activities are reflected in the news headings on the website, as well as on the Internet platforms Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Twitter.
What is the biological justification?
Biological justification is a scientifically based conclusion on the use of wildlife, the determination of the permissible amount of seizure of objects of the animal world, as well as activities that can affect objects of the animal world and their habitat.
What is the fish-breeding and biological justification in the field of aquaculture?
The fish-breeding and biological justification in the field of aquaculture (hereinafter referred to as the RBO) is a set of scientifically based recommendations developed as a result of research and scientific data, assessment of the current state and potential of fisheries reservoirs and (or) sites, fish ponds, fish pools, as well as the use of technologies related to breeding and (or) maintenance, cultivation of aquaculture facilities.
The biological justification is being developed for the following purposes:
1) conducting aquaculture or commercial fish farming;
2) determination of optimal conditions and parameters for the implementation of aquaculture;
3) assessment of the current state and potential of fisheries reservoirs and (or) sites, fish ponds, fish pools for the application of technologies for the maintenance and cultivation of aquaculture facilities.
Scientific research is carried out at the expense of the funds of the subjects of aquaculture to which the fisheries reservoirs and (or) sites are assigned.
The cost of developing a fish-breeding and biological justification is published annually on the Center’s website in the “Services” section (https://fishrpc.kz/?page_id=380).
In what cases is the development of RBO required, who develops it, and what information is needed for preparation?
A fish-breeding and biological justification in the field of aquaculture is being developed for:
Biological justification is developed on the basis of scientific research by legal entities accredited as subjects of scientific and (or) scientific-technical activities, and (or) autonomous educational organizations in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
To prepare a fish-breeding and biological justification in the field of aquaculture (RBO), it is necessary to provide:
Depending on the characteristics of the water body, when developing a fish-breeding and biological justification, a complex of field studies is carried out, including hydrological, hydrochemical, hydrobiological, ichthyological and ecological surveys. Based on the results of the conducted research, a comprehensive assessment of the state of the reservoir is carried out and scientifically sound recommendations for its rational fisheries management are developed.
What types of fish can be recommended for cultivation, for how long is the RBO developed, and why is it important to follow its recommendations?
The list of recommended fish species for cultivation is determined individually based on the characteristics of the water body, climatic conditions, the state of the food supply, the results of research and the requirements of current legislation.
The fish-breeding and biological justification is developed for a period of 5 (five) years in accordance with the requirements of current legislation. Upon expiration, as well as in case of significant changes in the natural, hydrological, ecological or economic conditions of operation of a water body, the RBO is subject to updating or the development of a new fish-breeding and biological justification.
Compliance with the recommendations contained in the RBO contributes to the rational use of the fishery potential of the reservoir, the conservation of aquatic biological resources, improving the efficiency of fish farming and reducing environmental risks.
Where can I get advice on RBO development?
For questions about the development of a fish farming and biological justification in the field of aquaculture, please contact the organization’s specialists by phone 8 (727) 383-17-15, e-mail info@fishrpc.kz, or via the feedback form posted on the official website.
Specialists will provide advice on the list of necessary documents, the procedure for conducting research, deadlines for completing work and other issues related to the preparation of the RBO.
What types of fish are grown in Kazakhstan?
The main fish farming facilities are carp species (carp, white amur, common carp), sturgeon species (sterlet, Siberian sturgeon, Russian sturgeon, etc.), as well as trout, clarias catfish, and tilapia.
What regulatory legal acts should be followed when creating and maintaining a fish farm?
When creating and conducting activities in the field of aquaculture, it is necessary to be guided by the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and policy documents regulating the development of the industry.
Main regulatory legal acts:
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Aquaculture” (dated June 12, 2025) is the main regulatory legal act regulating public relations in the field of aquaculture, defining the legal, organizational and economic foundations for the creation and development of fish farms.
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Protection, Reproduction and Use of Wildlife” (dated July 9, 2004, No. 593);
The Fisheries Development Program for 2021–2030 (approved by the PPRC on April 5, 2021) defines the main directions of state policy for the development of fisheries and provides for the achievement of the following targets:
– increasing the volume of fish farming to 270 thousand tons per year;
– increasing domestic consumption of fish products to 134 thousand tons per year;
– increasing exports of fish products to 181 thousand tons per year.
In addition, when implementing projects in the field of aquaculture, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of other regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan governing the provision of land, water use, design, construction, environmental protection and business activities.
What measures of state support (subsidies) are provided for fish farms?
The following state support measures are provided for entities operating in the field of aquaculture (fish farming):
The specific types and conditions of state support are determined by the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What types of subsidies are provided for fish farms?
Subsidies are provided for subjects of aquaculture (fish farming) in three areas:
1) Subsidizing of investments provides for:
reimbursement of 25% of the investment costs for the creation or expansion of feed production workshops, fish farms with a closed water supply cycle, cage, pond and lake farms, as well as fish processing facilities.
Regulatory document: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2500037319
2) Subsidizing production costs provides for:
Regulatory document: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2500037320
3) Subsidizing water supply services
From 2026, it is planned to reimburse part of the costs of water supply services during the implementation of fish farming and processing projects.
Regulatory document: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2500037320
The procedure, conditions and amounts of subsidies are determined by the Rules for Subsidizing the Development of Aquaculture (Fish Farming), approved by the authorized state body.
What concessional lending programs are available for the development of the fisheries sector?
The government implements preferential lending programs to support the development of aquaculture and the fish processing industry.
1) Budget lending of investment projects
Since 2024, there has been a program of preferential lending to investment projects in the field of fisheries on the following conditions:
The program is aimed at:
creation of new and expansion of existing fish farms with a production capacity of 25 tons of commercial fish per year;
development of fish processing enterprises, including butchering, deep processing and storage of products with a production capacity of 1 ton per day.
2) Preferential financing through the Agrarian Credit Corporation
Since 2026, a mechanism for direct subsidization of financial institutions through the Agrarian Credit Corporation (ACC) has been introduced in a pilot mode.
Within the framework of the mechanism:
This mechanism allows for:
How is the securing of sections of fisheries reservoirs of international or national importance carried out without holding a competition?
In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Aquaculture”, a special procedure is provided for securing areas of fisheries reservoirs of international or national importance without holding a competition, for the implementation of investment projects in the field of aquaculture.
The securing of land plots is available to legal entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan that meet the requirements of the legislation for the implementation of projects:
To secure the site, a legal entity must provide:
After securing the site, the company must:
Regulatory document: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2500036754
Detailed requirements and the procedure for securing land plots are established by Article 11 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Aquaculture”. Additional information can be obtained from the Committee of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan or from the inter-regional basin inspections of fisheries.
What are the timeframes for the consolidation of fisheries reservoirs?
In accordance with subparagraphs 2) and 3) of paragraph 2 of Article 40 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Protection, Reproduction and Use of Wildlife”, the period of fixation is: for fishery reservoirs and (or) areas for the purpose of fisheries – from five to forty-nine years; for flood-prone reservoirs and (or) local areas for the purpose of fisheries management – from one to five years.
