3
defi nition reads as follows: “fi shing of aquatic animals that do not constitute the individual’s primary
resource to meet nutritional needs and are not generally sold or otherwise traded on export, domestic or
black markets. The unambiguous demarcation between pure recreational fi sheries and pure subsistence
fi sheries is often diffi cult. However, using fi shing activity to generate resources for livelihood marks
a clear tipping point between recreational fi sheries and subsistence fi sheries. Globally, angling is by
far the most common recreational fi shing technique, which is why recreational fi shing is often used
synonymously with (recreational) angling”. This EIFAC defi nition was acceptable to the participants
and was used in the further discussions at the workshop to ensure a common understanding of w kind
of fi shing was meant.
15. Questions were raised also about confl ict resolution methodologies applied in Europe for confl icts
between commercial and recreational inland fi sheries activities. Some examples of collaborative
mechanisms and arrangements on management of fi sheries in inland water bodies were given by the
experts from EIFAC and Finland.
PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
Tajikistan
16. On behalf of the Union of Hunters and Fishers Associations of Tajikistan, Mr Rustam Ibragimov
made a presentation on the status of recreational fi shing in his country. Mr Ibragimov started with
detailing some general characteristics of his country, such as the following: Tajikistan has a territory of
143.1 thousand km2 of which 93 percent is covered with mountains. There are some 300 large and small
rivers, and the surface of the lakes and other inland water bodies area is some 705 km2. He added that
the population size of the country was 7.5 million in 2007 and that some 73.7 percent of the population
was living in rural areas.
17. The total number of members in the Union of Hunters and Fishers Associations of the Republic
Tajikistan is 15628 (2009). Of these members some 5280 are recorded as pure recreational fi shers. The
other members (10348) are registered as hunters and fi shers; thus involved in both activities.
18. In addition, more than 3 000 people are organized in groups as recreational fi shers, but are not
registered with the Unions of Hunters and Fishers Associations. The total number of fi sh species which
are of economic value in Tajikistan is estimated at 65. Fish species that commonly occur in catches of
recreational fi shers are the following in order of importance: common carp, pikeperch, roach or Caspian
roach, Aral asp, bream, marinka, Prussian carp and bighead carp, white-eye, sabre fi sh, grass carp, wels
catfi sh and trout.
19. Mr Ibragimov then listed the rivers and lakes frequently visited by recreational fi shers in each of the
regions of Tajikistan. Fishing gear commonly used by recreational fi shers in Tajikistan are the following
in order of importance: fi shing rods, spinning rods and cast nets. In contrast, fi shing methods used
frequently by poachers include electro-rods, (gill) nets of various sizes and trawl nets.
20. Following up on the issue of illegal fi shing, he presented an estimate by the Union for unregistered
captures of fi sh by species; data collected by visiting bazaars and rural markets. The list presented added
up to an estimation of over 125 tonnes of unregistered catch in inland waters per year.
21. Main problems encountered by the recreational fi sheries sector included the following: Limited
interest in the membership of hunters and fi shers associations; lack of own fi shing infrastructures and
farms by associations; an obsolete legislation for the associations of hunters and fi shers which does
not provide incentives for long term memberships; large scale poaching in water reservoirs, rivers and
lakes.
22. The complete status report of Tajikistan recreational fi sheries can be found in Appendix D.
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