The meeting of the Estonian-Russian Intergovernmental Fisheries Commission for Lakes Peipsi, Pihkva, and Lämmijärv held in Kuressaare today decided to increase the fishing quota of pikeperch and leave the quota for other species at their 2002 level. Considering the good state of the pikeperch stock and the fact of the 2002 generation being numerous, the Estonian and Russian side will be permitted to catch 100 more tons of pikeperch each at Lake Peipsi in comparison with the respective quota for 2002. According to mr. Enno Kobakene, Chief Specialist of the Fish Resources Department of the Estonian Ministry of the Environment, the pikeperch generations are strong, however, the share of undersized fish is high. With the aim to limit the by-catch of undersized pikeperch and prevent the use of the total fishing quota solely within the autumn months - which would not enable the continuation of fishing using other types of nets for other species -, the Fisheries Commission advised to use a two-stage fishing regime at the use of the Danish seine’s codend. It was recommended to start fishing with the Danish seine on September 1 - for the first 15 days the maximum permissible mesh size will be 48 mm. From September 16 on the mesh size of 100 mm should be used. The use of the Danish seine should be terminated by October 15. Fishing with nets will be begun on September1; the Commission decided to leave the maximum permissible mesh size at its current level (110 mm) in order to enable the catch of pikeperch reaching over 35 cm. At the scientific conference held in Kuressaare prior to the negotiations, the Estonian and Russian ichtyologists stated that the state of fish stock of Lake Peipsi is undergoing rapid changes.The pikeperch stock is in a surprisingly good state while decrease of the smelt stock has started Fishing for vendace is continuingly prohibited at Lake Peipsi as the stock is currently in a poor state. The numbers of whitefish are also low. In recent years, successful reproduction of vendace and whitefish has been prevented by the natural conditions. According to Mr. Kobakene, there is also a tendency for reduction of the perch stock. The Estonian and Russian side also agreed on the performing of joint inspections during the whitefish catch in autumn. This would enable to identify the pikeperch by-catch which may excceed the maximum permissible by-catch rate. The Estonian side informed Russia that the will be reduced from 200 to 50 metres along the control line (the Estonian-Russian border) at the ice of Lämmijärv - this will enable the continuation of traditional fishing practices at Lake Lämmijärv. The Russian side has received the information and will decide on the reduction of the zone with non-permissible fishing from 200 to 50 m along the control line - the Russian side will then inform the Estonian side concerning this. For additional information please contact: |
