ISSN 2070-7010 ISSN 584 FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER 584 Fish species introductions in the Kyrgyz Republic Fish species introductions in the Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyz the in introductions species Fish The present technical paper analyses the available information on historic fish species introductions in the Kyrgyz Republic and investigates and evaluates experiences, lessons learned and its consequences on the biodiversity of inland waters, inland fisheries and aquaculture production. This technical paper also discusses more suitable and improved practices that can be developed in future fish stocking programmes and to support the management of exotic and indigenous species in inland fisheries and aquaculture. The stocking of whitefish in Lake Son-Kul and Chinese major carps in the Toktogul reservoir can be ! considered successful examples of fish introductions in the Kyrgyz Republic. The ! largest introductions and the most severe negative consequences took place in Lake Issyk Kul. Here, 13 indigenous species, six of which are endemic species, were supplemented by 16 introduced fish species which overtime led to a drastic change of the relative proportions of native to introduced fish species in favour of the latter causing a decline in the ecosystem service of fisheries, affecting livelihoods of many rural poor. Considering the past experiences and lessons learned, this study also outlines a summary of reasons for the present state of fisheries in the Kyrgyz Republic and recommendations for the sector management including management of fish fauna and fishery including commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture and research needs. An updated detailed inventory of the water, fisheries and aquaculture resources in the Kyrgyz Republic, including information on the present state and production capacities of fish farming activities and historic fish introductions by water resource is given. It is also intended to provide a method for similar analyses elsewhere. ISBN 978-92-5-107620-0 ISSN 2070-7010 FAO 9 789251 076200 I3268E/1/04.13 Cover photographs: Cover photographs: Images of the main fish species introduced in Lake Issyk Kul. Sevan and rainbow trout captured by anglers (top centre). Pikeperch and oriental bream in confiscated gillnets (top left). Common carp and grass carp captured in Lake Issyk Kul (bottom right). (Courtesy of Azat Alamanov and András Woynárovich). FAO FISHERIES AND Fish species introductions in AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL the Kyrgyz Republic 25PAPER A global assessment 584 Mukthar Alpiev FAO National Consultant Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Mairam Sarieva Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordinator FAO Project on Support to Fishery and Aquaculture Management in the Kyrgyz Republic Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Sunil N. Siriwardena International Team Leader FAO Project on Support to Fishery and Aquaculture Management in the Kyrgyz Republic Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan John Valbo-Jørgensen Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer Subregional Office for Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic (FAO SLM) Panamá City, Panamá and András Woynárovich FAO International Consultant Budapest, Hungary FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2013 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-107620-0 (print) E-ISBN 978-92-5-107621-7 (PDF) © FAO 2013 FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licence- request or addressed to [email protected]. FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/ publications) and can be purchased through [email protected]. iii Preparation of this document The objectives for the design and implementation of FAO projects GCP/GLO/162/EC1 and GCP/KYR/003/FIN2 were to support the development of appropriate fisheries strategies and to ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan). Prior to and since independence in 1991, the introduction of non-native species for fishery and aquaculture activity in Kyrgyzstan has increased the pressure on endemic resources. Therefore, it was necessary to conduct an analysis of these introductions, to consider how they may affect the future development of fisheries and aquaculture, and to lay the foundation for more sustainable development. The present document is the outcome of this analysis. It also includes an updated inventory of water, fisheries and aquaculture resources. In addition, it presents an overview of past and present management practices and provides feasible and practical solutions to develop sustainable fisheries and aquaculture into the future. Hence, it is envisaged that this publication will serve to rehabilitate and develop an ecologically sound fisheries and aquaculture sector. Its aim is also to find sustainable solutions for increasing the production from natural waters, reservoirs and fish farms of Kyrgyzstan. The review has been endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Melioration of the Kyrgyz Republic, which is the ministry responsible for fisheries and aquaculture in the country. 1 GCP/GLO/162/EC – Kyrgyzstan: Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Kyrgyz Republic to Reduce Rural Food Insecurity. 2 GCP/KYR/003/FIN: Support to Fishery and Aquaculture Management in the Kyrgyz Republic. iv Abstract Although Kyrgyzstan is rich in water resources, the productivity of its waters is low and its indigenous fish fauna is relatively poor, with only a limited number of commercially valuable species. However, as the waters are suitable for growing valuable cold-water fish species, several fish species were introduced and regularly stocked when Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet bloc. As a consequence of these introductions, both the number and proportion of indigenous fish species gradually declined. After Kyrgyzstan became an independent State, seed and fingerling production from hatcheries first fell significantly and then stopped completely, while illegal and unregulated fishing increased. This combination led to the collapse of both the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Currently, national and foreign investors are increasingly interested in investing in the potentially lucrative cage farming of exotic rainbow trout, particularly in the unspoilt waters of Lake Issyk Kul, which may further endanger the efforts to restore and maintain the original fish fauna of the lake. The objective of this document is to analyse the available information on historic practices, experiences and lessons learned on species introductions so that more suitable and improved practices can be used in future stocking programmes in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere in the Central Asian region. Information is provided to support the management of exotic and indigenous species in Kyrgyz fisheries and aquaculture activity. It includes an analysis of the long-term consequences of possible stocking programmes for exotic and native species and the use of cages in natural waters. The information presented in this document includes a detailed inventory of all waterbodies, fishery and fish culture resources in Kyrgyzstan. It will also serve the rehabilitation and sustainable development of both the fishery and aquaculture sectors in Kyrgyzstan in an ecologically sound manner. The document also recommends feasible solutions for the sustainable utilization of natural waters, reservoirs and fish farms in Kyrgyzstan. Alpiev, M., Sarieva, M., Siriwardena, S.N., Valbo-Jørgensen, J. & Woynárovich, A. 2013. Fish species introductions in the Kyrgyz Republic. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 584. Rome, FAO. 108 pp. to do v Contents Preparation of this document iii Abstract iv Boxes, Tables, Figures vi Acknowledgement viii Abbreviations and acronyms ix 1. Introduction 1 Geography and climate 2 Water resources 5 Surface waters 5 Underground waters 8 Fish fauna 10 2. The fisheries in Kyrgyzstan 15 The fisheries during the Soviet period 15 Current state of the fisheries 16 Fishery administration 16 Fishery management of surface waters 17 Fish culture 18 Illegal fishing 23 Fisheries in the national context 24 International support to the fisheries of Kyrgyzstan 24 3. Introduced fish species in Kyrgyzstan 29 Choice of fish species in Kyrgyzstan 31 Rationale behind choice of species and expected benefits 35 Precautionary