A moratorium on fishing is declared in the Arnasai reservoir

On February 22, the President of Uzbekistan adopted the decision «On measures to improve management of the Aydar-Arnasai lake system».

State unitary enterprise «Management of Aydar-Arnasay Lake System» under State Tax Committee will be reorganized into LLC «Aydar-Arnasay Lake System» of the Ministry of Water Resources.

The main tasks and directions of activity of LLC «Aydar-Arnasay Lake System» are the followings:
 - A step-by-step development of technological processes to increase catch and production of export-oriented and competitive fish products.
- increase fishing through the widespread introduction of modern intensive fish-farming technologies, including water cages, and increase the productivity of natural water basins;
- modern tourist facilities within the lake system (beach and water tourism, lake-side walks, hotel complexes, recreation, trade, and other tourist facilities) and the creation of the necessary conditions for service, as well as the development of amateur and sporting fishing.
- introduction of new modern energy-saving systems and technologies using alternative and renewable energy sources in the region.
- regular improvement of Aidar-Arnasay Lake System and removal of  debris at the bottom of the lake.

A-year moratorium will be declared on fishing in the Arnasai reservoir of the Aydar-Arnasay lake system, in the following order:

- fishing in the area of the reservoir is strictly prohibited;
- collect nets and hunting weapons are collected from water;
- scientific research on the fish reproduction of the reservoir is put into operation.

Together with the State Assets Management Agency, the Antitrust Committee, the Association «O’zbekbaliqsanoat» and the Ministry of Water Management the Ministry of Finance has been tasked to transfer LLC «Aydar-Arnasay Lakes Systems» to the tested local investor, having experience of rare species breeding, pond fishing, technology of fish processing and experience, provided the investment in the prescribed order within four months. In 2022-2026, the investor is required to implement:

- investment of at least $30 million;
- increase the annual catch of the lake system to 15,000 tons and grow an additional 5,000 tons of fish through the installation of ocean cages;
- establishment of a fishing complex in the area of lake Tuzkon  and launching a fish processing plant with a capacity of 3,000 tons per year in this complex;
- expand recreational and sports fishing tourism, increase tourism services by increasing the tourism potential of the region and making effective use of its potential;
- reservation of the biodiversity of lake systems, scientific reproduction of fish stocks;
- establishment of a laboratory center to increase marine fish stocks in the lake system with the assistance of foreign specialists;
- major cleaning of the drainage system in the area of the lake system.