The Evolution of Fisheries Management in the Russian Far East: Calamities and Continuity
This article provides an in-depth overview of the fishing industry in the Russian Far East, tracing its evolution through four distinct epochs—Soviet legacy, the tumultuous 1990s, the failed reforms of 2000-2007, and the current period of renewed reform. It discusses the complexities of fisheries management, including centralized control, market changes, and scientific partnerships. Reflecting on historical challenges and lessons learned, the text evaluates how past experiences shape contemporary reforms and the future landscape of fisheries in the region.
The Evolution of Fisheries Management in the Russian Far East: Calamities and Continuity
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Presentation Transcript
The Evolution of the Fishing Industry and Fisheries Management in the Russian Far EastContext, Calamities, Continuity(Six Decades in Ten Minutes) Tony Allison
Summary: The Four Recent Epochs of RFE Fisheries and Their Meaning for Today • The Soviet legacy: will nostalgia trump rationality? • The wild 1990s: was it all bad? • The era of failed reforms 2000-2007: why did reforms fail and what was learned? • The current period of renewed reform: déjà vu all over again – and why is that guy’s name Krainyi?
The Soviet Legacy • Fleet build-up and deployment worldwide • Harvests, products, markets • Centralized fisheries management in a command economy • Science: technically strong, well-endowed, and a partner to industry • The salmon sector: products, producers, processors, and kolkhozniki • Pride and prestige: the intangible factor?
The Wild 90s • Collapse and privatization; the short-term view • Decentralization and weakening of management • Science impoverished and dependent on industry • Flood of foreign capital, ships, and new markets • Transformation of harvests and products • Offshore operations and illegal fishing • Salmon: new players, new rules, new hatcheries • Modernization and foreign ties get a bad name?
The Era of Failed Reforms 2000-2007 • Changing management structure/bosses • Revising allocation systems • The exit of (most) foreign interests • New players, new rules, worse results • Harvests, products, markets, illegal fishing • The new Law on Fisheries – success? • Salmon: some progress, many problems • Why is reform so difficult ? Who benefits? (the perspectives of the regulator and user)
The Key Aspects of Fisheries Management: RFE Evaluation?(Predictability, Stability, Incentives) • Assessment • Allocation/Administration • Enforcement
The Current Period of Renewed Reform • A State Committee (again) and its local branches • A new boss: is he really Krainyi? Does it matter? • The Astrakhan-Putin Conference, and some of its directives: -allocations for ten years (no transfers!) -fewer companies and quotas -get rid of the foreigners and end illegal fishing -fund and re-centralize science -bring industry onshore by easing regulations/taxes -nostalgia: Goskorporatsiia, world fishing, new ships -salmon: more local control, long-term leases • Prospects for reform, underlying problems (discussion)