Business program

Event details:

Since supplying the domestic market with fishery products remains a priority, development of exports is becoming a key prerequisite for ensuring a stable fishery industry, with exports accounting for almost 70% of the sector's revenues Russian fishery producers are maintaining the rate of production (catch) of aquatic bioresources and the volume of fishery product exports in face of closure of US market for their products, introduction of safeguard import duties by Great Britain and EU member states, and other unfriendly actions. They are expanding supplies to Asia and launching new export lanes. Even so, the sector's financial performance is slowing down, this driving the need for measures both to stimulate fish processors and shore up exporters.

Topics to discuss:

• Current and target export structure
• Efficiency and weight of exports in the sector's financial performance
• Export development barriers and government incentives
• Promising export destinations

Speakers:

1. Sergey Levin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation
2. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
3. Artem Daushev, Assistant to the Head, Rosselkhoznadzor
4. Dmitry Krasnov, Head, Agroexport
5. Alexander Morev, Project Manager for Supporting Agribusiness Exports, Russian Export Center
6. Inna Rykova, Head, Centre for Industry Economics, Research Financial Institute, Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
7. Alexey Buglak, President, Russian Pollock Catchers Association
8. Ilya Rakovsky, Chairman, Karelian Fisheries Union
9. Stanislav Aksenov, Board Member of Russian Fishing Company and Russian Crab Group of Companies
10. Sergey Sennikov, Deputy Director, Norebo Management Company
11. Ivan Fetisov, General Director, Expo Solutions Group

Event details:

The development of both artisanal and high-tech production are among the latest global trends in the aquaculture industry. The proper selection of species composition and scientifically based technological solutions are enhancing the efficiency of production processes and helping to obtain highly profitable products.

Modern methods of genetics, selection, and diagnostics with a system of treatment and preventive measures, as well as the introduction of new feed recipes are contributing to the development of aquaculture on a new technological platform.

The economic realities of the current times, the strategic objectives of the fisheries industry, and current trends in the development of aquaculture production all make it essential to pay increased attention to various aspects of the industry’s activities.

The planned growth in aquaculture production in the coming years has shown a spotlight on such urgent issues as ensuring the sustainable operation of existing and newly created farms, including their needs for planting materials, feed, protecting the health of breeding facilities, and the preservation and proper use of the potential of water bodies. Today, strengthening cooperation between science and the manufacturing sector to accelerate the testing, adjustment, and expanded use of the latest research results is an extremely important issue.

The growth in aquaculture production and high consumer demand inevitably raise the question not only of promising areas for processing products and creating an attractive image, but also of possible environmental problems that could arise when scaling a business.

Topics to discuss:

• Species and technologies. Planning, processing, and implementation. Efficient production.
• Feed: recipes, components, and production.
• Aquaculture diseases: prevention and treatment
• Aquaculture and ecosystem of the regions

Speakers:

1. Nikolay Fedorenko, Director, N.V. Fedorenko Trading House
   Modern Trout Farming
2. Ivan Milovanov, Head, Department of Aquaculture, OFI (Organic Foods Investment)
   Commercial Sturgeon Aquaculture
3. Sergey Pivnev, Managing Director, Lobster of the Chernozem Region
   Australian Red-Clawed Crayfish
4. Alexey Gubaidulin, Co-founder, Alfish
   Rosenberg Shrimp
5. Robert Harvey Stubblebine, President, Russian Seafood
   Black Sea Mariculture
6. Oleg Karlashevich, General Director, Melkom-Market
   Manufacture of extruded aquaculture feed «Aquarex». Strategy of leadership
7. Margarita Goncharova, Head, Department of Aquaculture, AVZ
   Veterinary Drugs: The Market, Offerings, Problems, and Their Solutions
8. Viktoria Barinova, Head, Department of Aquaculture Technology and Regulation, VNIRO; Candidate of Agricultural Sciences
   Current Issues in Aquaculture Ecology
9. Oleg Knyazkov, Head, Center of Industry Expertise, Russian Agricultural Bank
   Development of Russian Aquaculture and its Comparative Analysis with Fishery Industry regarding the aspect of effectiveness

Event details:

Global political transformations offer universities a new trajectory for international cooperation in research and education projects. Exchange of existing and creation of new technological knowledge, fundamental research efforts in response to global and local challenges, and training of young professionals in some essential skills and expertise for resolving future problems remain highly relevant for training skilled workers for the industry.

This roundtable session is the first open dialogue between universities interested in building and expanding global cooperation in fishery industry education and research projects. Its participants will share their experience of new international project formats, discuss the problems they face during such projects and ways to address them.

The event will kick-start the building of a new model of international research and education cooperation in training staff for the fishery sector in Asia-Pacific.

Topics to discuss:

1. The competitive edge of Russian fishery education
2. Research project experience of the Eurasian Economic Union's member states
3. Export of Russian fishery education: opportunities and prospects
4. Different aspects of grant support for joint international research and education projects

Speakers:

1. Oleg Kobyakov, Director, FAO Russia Liaison Office;
2. Irina Kvyatkovskaya, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Astrakhan State Technical University; DSc (Tech.Sc.), Professor
3. Georgy Nikitin, Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations, St Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine; CSc (Vet.Sc.), Associate Professor
4. Polina Polistovskaya, Dean, School of Aquatic Bioresources and Aquaculture, St Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine; CSc (Bio.Sc.), Associate Professor
5. Konstantin Shumsky, Head of Ichthyology and Fish Farming Department, Belarusian State Agricultural Academy; CSc (Agr.Sc.)
6. Alexey Kozyr, Senior Lecturer, Department of Aquaculture and Environmental Design, Polesie State University
7. Oleg Novozhilov, Director, Fishery and Aquaculture Institute, Kaliningrad State Technical University; CSc (Bio.Sc.)
8. Alexey Abramchuk, Head of Aquatic Bioresources and Aquaculture Department, Kuban State University; CSc (Agr.Sc.), Associate Professor
9. Anna Volkova, Head of Animal Science, Fish Farming, Agronomy and Land Management Department, Petrozavodsk State University; CSc (Bio.Sc.), Associate Professor
10. Alexander Chekalin, Director, Higher School of Fishery and Marine Technologies, Northern (Arctic) Federal University
11. Eduard Bubunets, Aquaculture and Beekeeping Department, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy; DSc (Agr.Sc.), Associate Professor

Event details:

China remains the primary market for Russian fish and seafood suppliers. Both countries take an interest in increasing supplies and expanding the share of highly processed products, but those who want to enter the Chinese market with their product must meet a number of requirements and follow procedures the participants learned about at Seafood Expo Russia last year. The exhibition in Qingdao and festivals in Shenyang and Dalian confirmed the steadily growing popularity of crab and other fishery products. China has something to offer Russia, as well. First and foremost, these are technologies enabling development of shipbuilding, equipment manufacture and aquaculture. These topics will be among the key agenda issues of the “Russia–China” business session.

Exporters and importers of fishery products, equipment and technologies from both countries are invited to contribute to the business dialogue.

Invited to participate:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Director, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Mr. Wang Xueguang, Vice President and Secretary General, China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA)
3. Mr. Lu Daqiang, Chairman, Liao Yu Group Co.
4. Oleg Moskvin, Commercial Director, Russian Fishery Company
5. Dmitry Gusev, Commercial Director, Okeanrybflot
6. German Zverev, President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs, and Exporters (VARPE)
7. Igor Zakharov, Production Director, Volga-Dnepr Airlines
8. Representative of VTB Shanghai
9. Ivan Fetisov, General Director, Expo Solutions Group

Event details:

The Caspian Sea’s unique ecosystem has faced several challenges and threats in recent years. These include water pollution caused by oil and gas infrastructure operations, constant water level fluctuations and recessions, emergence of oxygen-free zones in the sea, contamination of the seawater with phenols and various metals, as well as threats to biodiversity conservation.

What is leading to the degradation of the unique Caspian Sea ecosystem and what steps can help preserve it?

Meeting participants: representatives of federal and regional agencies, research and public organizations.

Invited to participate:

1. Amir Sayad Shirazi, General Director, Centre for the Rehabilitation and Research of Caspian Seals (Iran)
2. Asel Tasmagambetova, Founder and President, Sabi Charitable Foundation; Founder, Central Asian Institute of Environmental Research (Kazakhstan)
3. Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
4. Dmitry Kobylkin, Chairman, Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection, State Duma of the Russian Federation
5. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
6. Stepan Kalmykov, Vice President, Russian Academy of Sciences
7. Andrey Adrianov, Academician, Russian Academy of Sciences
8. Alimurad Gadzhiyev, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovation Work, Dagestan State University
9. Kirill Kolonchin, Director, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)

Event details:

The Professionals Training Program is a new form of cooperation between education providers and employers in the format of education-to-industry clusters united by shared training programs seeking to cover the employer’s specific HR needs and with its direct involvement.

Topics to discuss:

1. A new form of cooperation between education providers and employers
2. New training programs
3. Modern facilities and resources that comply with the Federal State Education Standard for Secondary Professional Education and meet employers’ needs
4. Development of evaluation resources for demo examination
5. Internship and employment

Speakers:

1. Anna Sheveleva, General Director, Baltiysky Bereg Trading House
2. Sergey Levchenko, General Director, Vestrybflot
3. Denis Treshev, Head, Vocational education Department, Committee on education of Saint Petersburg
4. Sergey Karpovich, Head, Kaliningrad Marine Fisheries College, Kaliningrad State Technical University
5. Sergey Losyakov, Director, St. Petersburg Sea Fishing College, a branch of Kaliningrad State Technical University
6. Inna Titova, developer of demonstration assessment materials

Event details:

Russia and India are leaders in the global fishery industry, their cooperation extending beyond BRICS. Even though Russia outstrips India in catch volume, the latter has made considerable gains in both production and export of farmed fishery products. Continued development of the sector is increasing India's demand for fishmeal used in feed production, which can be supplied by Russian exporters. These issues and the opportunities for cooperation in technology transfer will be the focus of the agenda for the “Russia–India” business session.

Exporters and importers of fishery products, equipment and technologies from both countries are invited to contribute to the business dialogue.

Invited to participate:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Sergey Cheremin, Head, Department for External Economic and International Relations, Moscow City Government; Chairman of the Board, Business Council for Cooperation with India
3. Representatives of Russian companies (exporters and importers)
4. Andrey Grechkin, General Director, Dalreftrans (FESCO Transportation Group)
5. Alexey Dolgushin, Executive Director, Development center of the Indian branch of Sberbank
6. Dmitry Klyuneyev, Director, Department for the Development of the Fisheries Industry, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation

Event details:

Questions to discuss:

• Current situation on the Russian seaweed market
• Main challenges and reasons why the industry is underdeveloped
• Technologies of harvesting and cultivating, scientific research and development
• Potential and vectors of development for the seaweed market in Russia
• Key drivers of success
• International experience

Speakers:

1. Inna Golfand, Independent Expert
   Seaweed: market analysis
2. Alexey Baitaliuk, Deputy Director – Head of the Pacific branch of VNIRO (TINRO)
   Development and challenges standing in the way of seaweed industry
3. Boris Etin, General Director, Arkhangelsk Algae Plant
   Harvesting and processing: food industry, dietary supplements, and cosmetology
4. Victor Averin, General Director, Divia-Farm
   Innovations in production technologies. Russian-Chinese bio-cluster
5. Orisha Peltzer, General Director, University Innovation Company “Littoral”
   Technologies of comprehensive use of brown algae and terrestrial medicinal plants for dietary supplements production
6. Artemy Prokopenko, Algotec Founder
   Market and products made from seaweed
7. Tatyana Puchkova, Chairwoman of the Board, Russian Perfume and Cosmetic Association (RPKA)
   Peculiarities of seaweed usage in cosmetology, development potential, tendencies and trends
8. Tatyana Savenkova, President, Food Ingredients Producers Union (FIPU)
   Peculiarities of seaweed usage in confectionery, potential of development, tendencies and trends
9. Representatives of Chinese companies (TBD)
10. Michael Liu, Manager, Export Division, Dalian Sijihong Food Co Ltd
    Peculiarities of seaweed usage in Chinese food industry

Event details:

The current renovation of the industry's business assets involves building new ships (including transport refrigerators), processing factories and logistics parks, which simply cannot be operated without qualified staff.

To supply qualified personnel, sector-specific universities have initiated collaboration with associations of major fishing companies. Yet, some problems remain to be discussed.

Hands-on training is an important aspect of staff training, especially in relation to sailing internship. Shipowners are often reluctant to hire trainees, especially minors. Moreover, trainees are offered sailing internships in disciplines that are not their main specializations.

Amendments to Federal Law No. 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation” dated 29 December 2012, which came into effect on 1 May 2024, could constitute a turning point in resolving the given issues. These amendments allow fishing companies that have held this status for at least three years an opportunity to act as customers of employer-sponsored university training programs at public expense to the extent of a fixed quota, to provide training to non-graduate individuals.

Such individuals can enter into an employer-sponsored training contract within a secondary professional or higher education program.

Topics to discuss:

1. Key issues associated with sailing internship
2. New opportunities for employer-sponsored training
3. Prospects for expanding practical training
4. Special aspects of sailing internship for minors

Speakers:

1. Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
   Peculiarities of cooperation between fishery industry and universities of Federal Agency for Fisheries based on amendments in the Russian Federation legislation
2. German Zverev, President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE)
   topic of the presentation to be confirmed
3. Alexey Osintsev, President, Fishery Shipowners Association
   Targeted training for fishery industry
4. Evgeny Masyutkin, Rector, Kerch State Marine Technological University
   On the organization of navigation practice at Kerch State Marine Technological University. Problematic issues
5. Natalia Savchenko, HR Director, Russian Crab Group of Companies
   Experience of cooperation between Russian Crab Group of Companies and maritime schools and colleges of the Primorye territory
6. Vladimir Grigoriev, member of the FSARF council, authorized representative of the Director of the Norebo Management Company
   topic of the presentation to be confirmed
7. Oleg Sheshenya, HR Director, YAMSy
   topic of the presentation to be confirmed

• Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries*;
• Vladimir Volkogon, Rector, Kaliningrad State Technical University;
• Kirill Kolonchin, Director, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)

Event details:

Saudi Arabia is a new market for Russian fishery producers, but the excellent quality and competitive prices of Russian products have already made them popular with local retail chains. The high purchasing power of local consumers allows exporters to increase their sales margin, while logistics account for most of the costs. A collaborative approach to handling this challenge can help optimize delivery routes, significantly expanding the product mix available for sale on the local market and for re-export. In addition, the parties have a significant potential for joint development of aquaculture and its provision with relevant resources.

Exporters and importers of fishery products, equipment and technologies from both countries are invited to contribute to the business dialogue.

Invited to participate:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Dr. Ali Alshaikhi, Assistant Deputy for Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment & Water and Agriculture
3. Badr bin Hamed Al-Aujan, Vice Chairman of Board of Directors – NAQUA Co.
4. Representative of Antey Group
5. Representative of the Gidrostroy Group
6. Representative of Russian Sea

Event details:

Logistics are an area of strategic importance for development of the fishery complex. Certain aspects of foreign policy have changed the flows of Russian cargos, fish being no exception. Changes in the fishery product supply chain have led to infrastructure shortages. Who will make up for these shortages? What are the options for diversifying fishery product transport: make big shipments in refrigerated vessels or use mobile containers? How will fish be delivered to a processing factory or a distribution chain? How will regulatory changes impact on logistics parks and transport fleets as investment obligations?

Topics to discuss:

• Options for delivering fish cargos via Russian sea ports. Public and private port infrastructure. Investment in logistics parks
• Fish transportation by rail: expansion of subsidies, rail traffic capacity and competition with road transport and shipments via the Northern Sea Route
• Warehouse and refrigeration parks and container sites: shortages, seasonal factors and investor burdens

Speakers:

1. Oleg Vakhtin, Director, Department of investment development and international cooperation, Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic
2. Andrey Mikhalevich, Head, Economics and Investment Department, Federal Agency for Fisheries
3. Andrey Grechkin, General Director, Dalreftrans (FESCO Transportation Group)
4. Vladimir Walter, General Director, Terminal Seroglazka
5. Sergey Nesvetov, Executive Director, North West Fishing Consortium
6. Andrey Tkachenko, Deputy Director, Eurasian Fish Center
7. Representative of Chinese business
8. Representative of Malaysian business

Event details:

The Youth Council of the Federal Agency for Fisheries was established in early 2024 based on a decision by the agency’s director. It is in charge of implementing corporate and personnel policies, developing the potential of young employees, and recruiting young people to work in the industry. At the council meeting, they will hold discussions with representatives of other agencies about some of the most pressing issues concerning the development of young people in the Russian Federation and the fishery industry in particular.

Topics to discuss:

• Youth policy in Russia and where to find personnel for the industry
• International and intersectoral cooperation among young specialists from the executive authorities
• Corporate culture at federal executive bodies: challenges and opportunities
• The structure of modern grand politics in the country

Speakers:

1. Yegor Litvinenko, Adviser to the Director of the Russian Federal Agency for Youth Affairs*
2. Nikolay Zimagorov, Chairman, Youth Council of the Federal Agency for Fisheries
3. Ksenia Rozinko, Head, Legal Department №2, Department for Control over State Order; Chairwoman, Youth Council of Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia)
4. Nikita Solovyev, Chairman, Youth Council of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation
5. Nikolay Baykovsky, Chairman, Youth Council of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
6. Representative, State Duma Committee on Youth Policy (TBD)*

Event details:

Development of the future global fishery complex drives the demand for innovation and promotes mainstreaming of advanced technologies in all domains. For example, the need to reduce incidental catch and minimize the impact on non-target species is resulting in development of more selective fishing gear. Rising fuel costs and the need for higher operating efficiency are strong incentives to improve fishing vessel and navigation system design, with fully automated and unmanned systems now becoming a reality.

The growing aquaculture production also drives innovation and brings new species and multi-trophic fish farming, improvements in RAS technology, giant floating aquafarms and aquaponics, biotechnology applications to improve productivity and species quality, business process automation solutions, robots and artificial intelligence.

Technologies for fishery product deep processing and improvements in logistics will help fill the gap in the global consumer market. A commitment to increasing transparency and improving traceability in supply chains driven by the demand for environmentally safe seafood has spurred innovations in data acquisition and management technologies.

What may appear fantastical today will soon be the norm, not only for the fisherman and the fish farmer, but also to the ordinary consumer – the very reason the global fisheries complex exists.

Topics to discuss:

• Global experience and development trends in the fisheries industry
• New technologies and fishing equipment for the proper exploitation of the bioresources of the World Ocean
• Deep processing. What will reduce the share of waste?
• Is aquaculture possible without problems?
• Are biotechnologies changing the rules of the game?
• Algae – are we growing future market leaders?
• Fish products: What are we going to but, where and how?

Speakers:

1. Dmitry Patrushev, Deputy Chairman, Government of the Russian Federation
2. German Zverev, President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE)
3. Sergei Dankvert, Head of the Federal Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision
4. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
5. Saveliy Karpukhin, Director General, Russian Fishery Company
6. Irina Zhachkina, First Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank

Event details:

Visit the II International Conference “Digital trends, smart technologies, and real innovations in aquaculture” to explore the best practices in automation and digitalization of aquaculture farms.

This event will bring together leading experts, innovators and industry representatives to share their experience and discuss burning issues and real cases of successful aquaculture projects.

Learn more about the conference at aquaconf.ru

The event will be held in Russian

Event details:

Young Russians are getting involved in the work of the industry. Over the course of three days, the most pressing issues of the development of the fisheries industry will be raised at the general meeting of young people in the industry. Students from fishing industry universities and colleges, young scientists, and employees of subordinate organizations, regional agencies, and the central office of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, under the guidance of the best moderators from the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, will prepare projects for the development of the industry. The meeting participants will present the results of their work to their colleagues – chairmen of the youth councils of the federal executive bodies, experts, and industry management.

Project themes:

• Security for the industry’s personnel
• Growing food consumption in the country
• Industry corporate culture
• Promotion of the fisheries industry in Russia and around the world

Experts:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Director, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Yegor Litvinenko, Adviser to the Director of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs*
3. Elizabeth Trishina, Head of Communications, Presidential Platform “Russia is a country of opportunities”
4. Vladimir Volkogon, Rector, Kaliningrad State Technical University
5. Samin Fatullaev, Head, Division of Analytics, Planning and Modern HR Technologies, Functional Activities Management Department, The Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation (SFR)
6. Marina Pryneva, Chairwoman, Youth Council of the Federal Tax

Event details:

Increasing the share of healthy foods made from Russian fish in the market basket of every Russian citizen across the country is a new strategic objective for the fisheries industry.

Since 2013, the share of highly processed foods in the total production of fish and seafood has been growing by an average of 0.5% a year, reaching 30% by 2023. The key mission is to boost production of highly processed foods by 2030, retaining a focus on changing consumer demand.

Manufacturers are constantly looking for effective ways to promote their fish products. Moreover, most of them work on their own these days, issuing targeted ads and not sharing a common marketing strategy with their industry peers.

Guests to this roundtable will discuss ways to build a consolidated strategy for promoting domestic fish and seafood, as well as fish promotion best practices for market players.

Topics to discuss:

• The situation in the industry today, new challenges and solutions
• Consumer tastes in Russia: what is bought and where
• Growth of Russian fish consumption: key drivers and barriers
• Reaching out to consumers “at the counter”: how to spark their interest in buying fish. The effectiveness of different sales formats, special offers at the outlet and management of layout and packaging
• Building new “fisherman – processor – distributor” cooperation formats
• Different regions’ experience of extraterritorial promotion of their products
• Saturating the market with delicious and diverse foods
• Making Russian fish trendy and popular
• Prospects for concerted action by market players

Speakers:

1. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
   Increasing domestic consumption of Russian fish products for the period until 2030: ANO, road map
2. Maria Istomina, Head of research and analytics, Sbermarketing
   Current consumer research
3. Vladimir Solodov, Governor of the Kamchatka Territory
   Experience of promoting Kamchatka fish to the domestic market
4. Saveliy Karpukhin, Director General, Russian Fishery Company
   On organizing the promotion of pollock products to the domestic market. Joint project with Perekrestok and Agama
5. Alexandra Sukhareva, Head of the Ultra-Fresh category, Perekrestok (X5 Group)
   About the system of long-term contracts
6. Alexey Nemeryuk, Minister of the Moscow Government, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and Government of Moscow, Head of the Department of Trade and Services of the City of Moscow
   About the experience of a unique fish market in Moscow “Moskva na volne”
7. Alexander Panin, Chairman, Fish Union
   On the balance of raw materials in the domestic market and development of continental processing in B2C segment
8. Alexey Buglak, President, Russian Pollock Catchers Association

Event details:

At present, the main Russian fishing areas in Africa are the exclusive economic zones of Morocco and Mauritania, where the annual catch is around 100,000 tonnes. Over the previous decade, Russian fishermen have caught over 200,000 tonnes in the Central-Eastern Atlantic (CEA fishing area per FAO classification) each year. There are real prerequisites for restoring the fisheries to their previous volume and even increasing them. The amount of fish caught by Russian organizations in other areas along the African coast, including in the Indian Ocean, is negligible.

VNIRO’s major African expedition of 2024-2025 will encompass vast areas of the West African coast from Morocco to Angola, as well as the western Indian Ocean. The coastal waters of northwest Africa are of greatest interest, as this area is among the most productive in the World Ocean. The biomass values and numbers of fish and crustaceans will be estimated for this region as well as other, less explored areas (Southeast Asia and the Western Indian Ocean), and the features of their biology, distribution, stocks, ecosystem, and food supply will be studied. Counting the number of juvenile fish will help assess fishing prospects for Russian fishermen.

Topics to discuss:

• Scientific research: the foundation for the success of fisheries in Central Asia
• VNIRO’s major African of 2024-2025: high expectations
• CEA and SEA: taking a more active position
• East Africa: should fishing be resumed in the Indian Ocean?

Speakers:

1. Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
   Arrangements and preparations for VNIRO's Great African Expedition 2024-2026
2. Grigory Maslyankin, Head of the Centre for Aquatic Bioresources of the World Ocean, Atlantic Branch, VNIRO
   From the history of Russian research and fishing in the Central-Eastern Atlantic to VNIRO's Great African Expedition 2024-2026 (AtlantNIRO)
3. Sergey Leontyev, CSc (Bio.), VNIRO
   Going more proactive in East Africa
4. Viktor Popov, Head of the Russian Agency for Fisheries Representative Office in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
   "Mauritania – Russia's strategic partner" or "Prospects for cooperation between Russia and Mauritania"
5. Cheikh Hejbou, Director, Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research and Fisheries
   Research cooperation between Mauritania and Russia
6. Ruslan Telenkov, CEO, Magadanpromflot LLC
   The role of the Great African Expedition in the context of opportunities and prospects for the Russian fisheries industry
7. Sergey Levchenko, CEO, Vestrybflot CJSC
   The prospects and opportunities for the Russian fisheries industry in Africa

Event details:

Today, Russia is proceeding with its persistent efforts to retrofit its fishing fleet, renovate processing facilities and build new coastal factories and logistics parks. The investment quotas initiative helped kick-start these processes, and its participants are seeking to optimize the timing and localize the manufacture of equipment used so that their customers – fishing companies – might start using the renovated infrastructure as soon as possible to increase the volume and efficiency of catch and processing of aquatic bioresources.

An open and constructive dialogue between all parties involved, including but not limited to the customer and shipyards, must be established to ensure business continuity on a mutually beneficial basis. Manufacturers and vendors of shipboard equipment and systems play a major role in the construction, outfitting and maintenance of the shipping fleet. They are starting to pay greater attention to contracts in the fishery industry and the opportunities that the sector brings for commercial shipbuilding.

Invited to participate:

1. Representative, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. Albert Karimov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
3. Sergey Kulikov, Director General, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
4. Andrey Puchkov, General Director, United Shipbuilding Corporation
5. Representatives of ship customers
6. Representatives of contractors – equipment producers

Event details:

The country’s fishing industry is faced with a shortage of young specialists. Modern training programs at universities specializing in fisheries should be preparing qualified personnel, but few of the graduates end up working in related businesses or scientific institutes after graduation. Why would one want to work in the fishing industry or academia? What does the future of the fishing industry in this country look like? “Look beyond the horizon!” is an event where the industry’s best people come to meet students from universities specializing in fisheries on equal terms. The winners of university competitions held in January–June 2024 will defend their projects and maybe even receive offers directly from those with the power to make them.

Experts:

1. Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries
2. German Zverev, President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE)
3. Sergey Kunitsyn, Innovation Development Leader, VkusVill
4. Kirill Kolonchin, Director, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)
5. Elizabeth Trishina, Head of Communications, Presidential Platform “Russia is a country of opportunities”

Participant projects:

1. Danil Kolesnikov, Student, Kamchatka State Technical University
   “Developing gaseous carbon dioxide technology for grainy salmon caviar”
2. Alexandra Kolesnikova, Master’s Student, Kaliningrad State Technical University
   “Developing a program product to support a complex research of krill biology”;
3. Pavel Polukhin, Graduate Student, Astrakhan State Technical University
   “Marine robotics for the fishing industry”;
4. Albina Makarenko, Student, Kerch State Marine Technological University
   “Innovative production technologies for minced molluscs with vegetable additives”
5. Ksenia Bogdanovskaya, Student, Dalrybvtuz
   “Developing technology for the industrial cultivation of macroalgae Ulva laktuca”

Event details:

In the modern world, nothing can be promoted without social media. The younger generation gets information by watching news feeds, short videos, or pictures. News is becoming shorter and the best advertising found its way to the Internet a long time ago. In addition, the online image of an organization, and even its employees, is becoming more important every day. Applicants choose universities, customers choose products, and young specialists choose jobs often not based on a huge number of little-known indicators for the average person, but based on the image of the organization and its brand. The roundtable experts will talk and share their experience about how to create your own personal brand on the Internet, regardless of who you are: a student, company owner, or government employee. Your digital avatar is how the world views you today.

Topics to discuss:

• What are the most effective tools for promoting a personal brand on social media?
• What are the basic principles of creating quality content for your personal brand?
• What personal branding strategies can be used depending on your goals and resources?
• How can you create a unique and memorable image for your personal brand?
• What trends in promoting personal brands are currently important?

Speakers:

1. Darya Levchenko, Adviser to the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; Press Secretary
2. Ekaterina Minkevich, Founder, Influence You Communication Agency
3. Dmitry Tumansky, Blogger and Fisherman

Event details:

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) is the FAO’s biennial flagship report aimed at government officials, scientists, fishers and fish farmers, representatives of the fishing industry and trade networks, civil society and consumers, provides up-to-date information, evidence and scientific perspectives on challenges and opportunities, as well as practical advice on innovative solutions affecting the current state of the sector and its future.

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture – 2024 with the main theme of ”Blue Transformation in action” provides examples of activities and initiatives coordinated by FAO in collaboration with Member states, partners and key stakeholders, which are aimed at better mainstreaming aquatic foods in the field of ensuring global food security and sustainability, enhancing policy advocacy, scientific research and capacity building, disseminating sustainable practices and technological innovations, and supporting community involvement.

The document outlines the role of FAO and its partners in encouraging the transformations needed to expand and intensify aquaculture, effectively develop global fishery resources and enhance the efficiency of aquatic product value chains. It specifically addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with the untapped potential of using fish processing by-products to improve food security and nutrition, describes the role of aquatic food systems in finding critical climate, biodiversity and environmental solutions, and specifies the importance of integrating them into national and regional processes.

The report gives an outlook on trends up to 2032 based on improved data collection approaches and updated tools and methods of analysis and evaluation, making it possible to present the most up-to-date overview of the production and use of global fisheries and aquaculture products.

Established by the FAO Conference in 1965, the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) is the only inter-governmental forum to hold consultations and develop recommendations on technical and policy aspects related to global fisheries and aquaculture and on FAO work in this area.

The Committee provides global recommendations to regional fishery bodies, civil society organizations, representatives of the private sector and the international community. COFI has fostered the development and adoption of a number of binding and advisory documents that have transformed the approach of the fishery sector to work in the interests of resource sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

The 36th session of the Committee adopted the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA), which provides a comprehensive framework for aquaculture management and its sustainable development, aimed at supporting FAO Members and other stakeholders in the implementation of the 1995 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The document sets forth specific recommendations for enhancing technical cooperation, building partnerships, providing financial assistance, developing institutional capacity, and exchanging knowledge and experience to promote sustainable expansion and intensification of aquaculture at the global level.

The important role of aquatic foods in global food security and nutrition, their high potential as a solution to climate change, and the contribution of effective management to achieving long-term biodiversity goals were noted. Additionally, solutions to address pressing challenges confronting aquatic food systems, such as plastic pollution of the aquatic environment, were explored. In particular, the first results of FishMIP 2.0, a global initiative forecasting the impact of climate change on future marine ecosystems and fisheries under different scenarios, were presented, which will support the formulation of climate-resilient food security policies.

Objectives:

Key highlights of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture – 2024 flagship report and the outcomes of the COFI 36th session will be presented at the round table, with a special focus on approaches and recommendations for addressing pressing issues in aquatic food systems.

The Blue Transformation concept of FAO is based on facilitating sustainable aquaculture growth to meet the increasing demand for aquatic foods; ensuring effective fisheries management for healthier fishery stocks and equitable livelihoods; and upgrading of aquatic food value chains to guarantee their social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Aquatic foods remain one of the most traded food commodities in the world, involving over 230 countries and territories and generating a record USD 195 billion in total revenue from their sales. As a result, the consumption of aquatic animal foods per capita amounted to 20.7 kg, according to FAO estimates. This constituted about 15% of the animal protein supply, reaching over 50% in some countries in Asia and Africa.

Speakers:

1. Andrey Yakovlev, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fishery (FFA)
2. Kirill Kolonchin, Director, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)
3. Nikolay Mochalov, Analyst, Fish Union
   On the state and current trends of global trade in fish and fish products
4. Haydar Fersoy, FAO Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer for Europe and Central Asia
   Highlights of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture – 2024 flagship report
5. Igor Shpakov, Senior consultant, FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation
   Outcomes of the COFI 36th session
6. Vladimir Volkogon, Rector, Kaliningrad State Technical University
   International educational cooperation for the implementation of principles of sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the Russian Federation