A number of program measures have been taken in Uzbekistan over the past years to ensure food security, including through increasing the production of fish products, which resulted in creation in 2016 alone of about 3 thousand hectares of new artificial ponds, where nearly 900 new fish farms are doing business.

However, an in-depth analysis revealed that the weakest links in the fishing industry are production of fish seeds and inefficient use of natural and artificial ponds. As a result, the productivity of artificial ponds does not exceed 20 quintals per hectare, which is below the world average. Particular attention should be paid to the study of foreign experience in fish farming, introduction of intensive and high-end technologies for growing fish.

The President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his April 27 trip to Jizzakh province pointed to these shortcomings and available reserves for the development of fish farming and increasing the output of fish products at competitive prices.

In order to eliminate these problems, the President through a Measures To Improve Fishing Industry Management System decree created UzbekBaliqSanoat (transl. Uzbek Fishing Industry) Association, which shall comprise 13 territorial BaliqSanoat LLCs to ensure coordination of the fishing industry locally.

The main tasks and activities of the Association are the creation of an organizational and technological fish production chain, reproduction of feed seeds stock and strengthening the forage base, rational use of natural and artificial ponds, as well the introduction of science intensive methods and technologies into fish growing.

The Decree has also created a Working Group on development and implementation of program measures for further integrated development of the fishing industry for 2017-2021.

The implementation of the above measures is intended to contribute to the creation of a common management system covering all areas of the fishing industry and ensure its accelerated development, creation of new jobs, significantly increase fish production, satisfying the demand for fish and increase exports.