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Catch limits of pikeperch and roach at Lake Peipsi were increased

The Estonian-Russian Intergovernmental Fisheries Commission for Lakes Peipsi, Pihkva, and Lämmijärv decided on its 15th session held on June 3-7 in the Jõgeva County to increase the catch limits of pikeperch and roach for 2002 as the stocks of those species are in good state, according to scientific assessment.

The fishing limit for pikeperch will be increased by 1830 tons and for roach by 1300 tons.

According to mr. Enno Kobakene, Chief Specialist of the Fish Resources Department, the Estonian side may increase its pikeperch catch in Lake Peipsi by 850 tons as compared with the limit earlier stipulated for 2002. Another additional 850 tons of pikeperch from Lake Peipsi plus 130 tons from Lake Pihkva may be caught by the Russian side. Increase of roach catch limits from Lake Peipsi amounted to 400 tons for each side, plus another 500 tons of catch limit from Lake Pihkva for the Russian side.

The parties also reached an agreement concerning the fishing regime for the second half of 2002. The Russian side will commence fishing with Danish seine not earlier than August 15. For the first month the mesh size of the seine’s codend will be 24 mm, from September 15 on it may be increased to 50 mm. The objective of changing the permissible mesh size is prevention of catching undersized pikeperch and reduction of load on the perch stock. The Estonian side decided to commence fishing with Danish seine on September 1 using the 24 mm mesh size; from October 1 on the mesh size of 50 mm will be permissible.

The Commission decided not to permit specialized fishing for whitefish in summer, 2002. Fishing with nets will be permitted from September 1 with the minimum permissible mesh size of 55 mm; this will also enable catching of whitefish.

According to the agreement of parties, the minimum permissible size of caught pikeperch will until the end of 2002 be 38 cm.

At the session, information concerning the catches of last year was also exchanged. In 2001, the Estonian side caught 1975 tons of fish from Lake Peipsi - this being 814 tons less than the respective amount in 2000. Within the first four months of 2002, the Estonian side has caught 2733 tons; thus already exceeding the total catch of last year. The Russian side caught 2685 tons in 2001, this being 1198 tons less than in 2000. Within the first four months of 2002, the Russian side has caught 2637 tons, exceeding the respective amount of last year by 1697 tons.
According to mr. Kobakene, the catches of the Russian side included the amounts caught from Lake Pihkva while  the catches of the Estonian side did not as the Estonian side nearly does not practice fishing at Lake Pihkva.

The decisions of the Commission’s last session had been obeyed by both parties. Spring fishing with Danish seine was prohibited for both sides in order to protect the perch stock and prevent catching of undersized pikeperch.


For additional information please contact:
Mr. Enno Kobakene
Chief Specialist, Fish Resources Department
Telephone: (+372) 660 4577, (+372) 51-20430