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Best regards,
Shohrat A. Orazov
UNDP/CEP PPA Turkmenistan
Editor
1. Caspian deal on caviar BBC Friday, 22 June, 2001, Poaching is
rampant as demand outstrips supply
Several Caspian Sea states have agreed to stop catching
sturgeon for the rest of the year in order to protect shrinking stocks of the fish prized
for producing caviar. Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan agreed to the suspension after a
meeting in Paris of the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species - CITES.
Turkmenistan, which was not present at the meeting, has yet to agree. But the decision has
averted a possible ban on exports of caviar from these countries.
Sanctions averted
The fishing freeze is part of a 12-month action plan aimed
at improving management of sturgeon resources. The four former Soviet republics - Russia,
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan - which border the Caspian Sea, source of 90% of
the world's caviar, are accused of failing to prevent environmental damage and poaching.
2. PARIS, June 21
To the delight of epicures but the annoyance of
ecologists, the United Nations agency that oversees trade in endangered species rejected a
ban on Caspian Sea caviar proposed by a scientific advisory body. But the agency, the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, gave the countries bordering the
Caspian, which accounts for about 80 percent of the caviar sold in Western Europe and the
United States, until year-end to reach an agreement on the improved management of sturgeon
resources and to conduct a survey of caviar stocks.
In return, three of the five countries -- Russia,
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan -- agreed with the agency, known as Cites, to suspend until the
end of this year fishing for Caspian Sea sturgeon, whose unfertilized eggs yield beluga,
sevruga and osetra caviar. Turkmenistan, another Caspian Sea nation, is expected to
approve the agreement. (Iran is not included because its sturgeon fishing is considered
effectively managed.) Lisa Speer of the Natural Resources Defense Council, which favors
the ban, called the voluntary action ''largely symbolic,'' because 70 to 80 percent of the
Caspian sturgeon catch is already in. ''We're very disappointed,'' she said.
1. “INCREASING EFFICIENCY OF
MASS-MEDIA IN THE CASPIAN SEA ENVIRONMENTAL PROMOTION CAMPAIGN”
A workshop for eco-journalists was opened at ISR Plaza hotel on June 18, 2001in
Baku, Azerbaijan in the frame of project entitled “Increasing efficiency of
Mass-Media in the Caspian Sea environmental promotion campaign”. The project is
sponsored by the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP). The project is executed by local
NGOs “Ecograph”, “Ecores” and “Saniya”.
The project includes three phases:
A workshop for journalists with practical sessions
A contest for the best article about the Caspian Sea issues and publication of a
bulletin “The Caspian Sea eyed by journalists”, and a supplement to
“Saniya” newspaper
Creation of film, which will be a mix of information about the sea and methodology
applied during the workshop, and the project itself
The project’s aim is to increase awareness of
journalists about the environmental status of the Caspian Sea, and, if possible, secure
correct and regular media coverage of the Caspian Sea issues.
During the workshop a group of journalists and students of
journalists faculties, who were also invited to observe the event, are meeting with
profound environmentalists and scientists, to know about exiting and emerging issues of
the Caspian Sea, its biodiversity, decline of commercial stock fishes, including sturgeon,
pollution from oil spill and many others. A few very important issues like journalism
legislation, access to environmental information and copyright, sources of information,
journalist ethics, writing skills and techniques are also raised and discussed together
with journalists. A psychologist, who is also involved in the project, is telling
journalists about psychological aspects of journalism, public polls, interviews and
commentaries.
In the frame of the project journalists are now writing
short articled abdout the Caspian Sea issues and are divided into three groups to work
with editors, assigned for one-to-one consultations to edit their articles.
The workshop and practical sessions will last until July
6, 2001. Certificated of Merits will be given to journalists upon completion of the
workshop and a contest for the best article will be announced through Mass-Media.
Contact for more information:
Elshin Sardarov, “Saniya” NGO, 126, Gouseyn Javid St.
Tel.: 954411 e’mail: saniyacin@azdata.net
3. CONDITION OF THE AZERBAIJANI
LAKES IS UNSATISFACTORY Baku, Azerbaijan, July 19-20, 2001
This is the conclusion made by almost every speaker of the conference “Social and
ecological problems of the Azerbaijani lakes”, organized by environmental society
“Ruzgar”, the Azerbaijani Science Academy and center for environmental
researches of the “Azerbaijan” university. The conference was attended by
specialists from Georgia and Turkey. The lakes water balance, ecological condition,
pollution, resources and their utilization by the general public, possible ways to solve
the issues, and a role NGOs in problem solving were raised and discussed during the
conference.
The history of Azerbaijani lakes turned to be not only
dynamic but also… horrifying to some extent. For instance, a group of lakes, which
covered vast territories of the Kura-Araks lowland in the past, were demonstrated on a
map. The area of those lakes was 1500 sq.km in 1896 and shrunk to only 188 sq.km in
1980... The lake waters were used to satisfy growing agricultural needs. The lakes all
around Azerbaijan were used to dump domestic and industrial, mainly, oil, discharges.
Alteration of chemical composition, salinization and often drying up are the results of
relentless utilization of lake waters. The water analyses of the Appsheron lakes are
depressive: there are no any lakes indicators in it. About 40 per cent of the Azerbaijani
lakes are now salinizated and dried up. Yet caused by stagnation halt of industrial
production for years did help to improve the situation.
“We should not deny the fact of drastic reduction of
lake fishing, reduction of population of unique local and migrating birds, the majority of
which are included in the Red Book...” said ornitilogist Dr. E. Sultanov. In reply
Director of Institute for Hydrotechnics and Melioration, R. Mamedov appealed:
“Let’s find a solution together. Why do not we develop a regime of the lake
biocenosis and do not recommend to include it in the Republican plan of water
utilisation?”
Scientists regretted the fact of negative ecological
effect on lakes medicinal mud. “The general public is not aware of proper use of lake
mud in order not to bring any harm to their health. Recreational facilities and
physiotherapy are not developed since the break up of the Soviet era. In fact lake mud is
a potential source of income…” complained Director of the Institute for Medical
Rehabilitation, professor A. Musayev.
Particular concerns were voiced in regard to the lakes
located in the occupied Azeri territories.
Many questions raised during the conference were yet left
unanswered, for example, prevention of water deficit and search for alternatives of Kura
waters, application of more effective measures to protect reservations and others.
A resolution, reflecting intentions of NGOs to achieve the
betterment of ecological condition of lakes, involving general public and strengthening
citizen initiatives, was adopted upon completion of the conference. Nothing else left
except waiting for the resolution to make happen...
4. PROBLEMS OF TRANSITION TO
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AZERBAIJAN
Sustainable development and its peculiarities in the post-soviet countries, economy and
rational use of natural resources, environmental protection and many other issues were
vigorously discussed in the framework of conference entitled “Problems of transition
to sustainable development in Azerbaijan”, in May-June 2001 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
More than 35 participants, being representatives of
various universities, non-governmental organizations, Academy of Science, state oil
company (SOCAR), as well as guests from Kazakhstan, Gerogia, Russian and Turkey took part
in the conference. The majority of participants were alumnies of educational and research
programmes of the US State Department Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs, which
supported the conference. The conference was organised by Environmental Society
“Ruzgar” and “Odlar Urdu” University.
The conference appeared to be a continuation of two
preceding conferences-training, “Environmental problems of the Caspian Sea and
Environmental education in the Caspian countries” (1998) and “The problems of
sustainable development in the Caspian countries” (2000). The conference aimed at
analyzing the advanced experience in making jural state and developing civil society. The
participants also sleeked the opportunity to communicate the public opinion about the
problems of transition and its correlation with environmental issues.
A resolution, which reflected initiatives for developing
civil society, strengthening role of NGOs while designing social and environmental policy,
and others, was adopted upon completion of the conference. The participants expressed a
hope that the government would support the NGO movement and implementation of its
initiatives. The resolution includes an appeal to international environmental
organizations and movements operating in the country to safeguard the Caspian region
ecosystem.
5. ECONOMIC GROWTH OF AZERBAIJAN
IS ACCELERATED, BAKU, 19 JULY, AZER-PRESS.
The gross domestic product of Azerbaijan reached AzM 10584.4 bn in the first half of this
year being 8.3 per cent higher than in the same period of last year, when the GDP equalled
AzM 9041.8 bn, Azer-press learned from the State statistical committee. In May 2001 GDP
equalled AzM 8534.4 bn (+8.3 per cent), and the GDP of the first quarter equalled AzM
5340.6 bn (+8 per cent). So, the GDP rose by AzM 2050 bn or 24.02 per cent in June 2001.In
the second quarter of this year the GDP rose by 98.19 per cent or by AzM 5243.8 bn, And
yet, the growth rate has not reached the planned 8.5 per cent annually.
6. AZERI PRESIDENT SAYS CASPIAN
STATUS MUST BE DEVELOPED GRADUALLY, BAKU, 21 JULY, AZER-PRESS.
Hassan Ruhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, finished his
visit to Azerbaijan and left back home on 21 July. Memorandum of collaboration between the
Security Council of Azerbaijan's president and the Supreme National Security Council of
Iran was signed at the office of the Azeri president. Hassan Ruhani and President Heydar
Aliyev discussed the following main issues: the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Nagorno Karabakh and determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Heydar
Aliyev underlined the importance of solving the sea status problem gradually. He agreed
with Hassan Ruhani that the problem should be solved to the consent of all the five
countries around the Caspian Sea, and reminded of the negotiations of the expert groups in
Baku and Tehran as well as of the up-coming Caspian presidents' summit in Ashkhabad in
October.
7. IRAN IS AGAINST RE-MAKE OF
STATE BORDERS AND IS INTERESTED IN AZERBAIJAN'S PROSPERITY, BAKU, 20 JULY, AZER-PRESS.
'Iran attaches great importance to all the three countries of the Caucasus and to the
region in general, viewing the Caucasus as its northern neighbour,' said the secretary of
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hassan Ruhani during the meeting with
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev on July 20. The Iranian side, agai Ruhani
said, was concerned about resolution of the conflicts in the region, in the sense that
'nobody can be closer than we are, and nobody can be above us.' Having mentioned that Iran
was for political solution of all problems, Ruhani said that the Iranian side was against
re-making of the state borders and would do everything to restore peace and maintain
stability in the region. Agai Ruhani said that, since Iran and Azerbaijan had common
onshore and offshore frontiers, Iran would like those to be the frontiers of friendship.
Since President Khatami came to power four years ago the
number of foreign tourists arriving in Iran has shown a steady increase. Tour parties and
independent travellers, once a rare sight in Iran, are now much more visible in the big
cities - encouraged by Iran's new image of greater openness.
2. July 17, Iran Daily Paper 50 flamingos have found refuge in the 800 hectare “No Hunting” Bujagh
area at Sefidrud River Delta on the eastern coast of Gilan province. According to Dr.
Nezami, director general of provincial office of Department Of Environment, the presence
of flamingos there, at this time of the year is very unusual & could be due to drying
up of the wetlands on northwestern borders of Iran. The continuous drought in past 4 years
have resulted in drying of some wetland areas of the country. Bujagh no-hunting area has
also been considered as one of the re-introductory sites for the endangered western flock
of the Siberian Cranes ( Grus leucogranus ), which winter in the lowland areas of the
southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
3. July17, 2001 Colonies of nesting Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) have started laying eggs
on carpeting Tarpa natans in wetlands of Gilan province, located at southwestern corner of
Caspian Sea. The seasonal activity of these flight masters creates a magnificent scene
both for the locals and the tourists. Anzali Lagoon, which is a Ramsar Convention site,
hosts great number of terns, of which, the Caspian Tern is the most aboundant.
4. July 18, 2001 Bodies of 6 Caspian Seals were found on the beaches of eastern Gilan province,
near Ziba Kenar resort, a Gilan DOE officer reported. The cause of the mortality was not
explained, but specimen were sent to the DOE main office in Rasht for further
investigation. High mortality rates among the Caspian Seals and Kilka fish have been the
main concern of the experts in all littoral states.
5. June 19, Babolsar Caviar Fest was celebrated in the coastal city of Babolsar in Mazandaran
province. Shilat officials, managers of the caviar processing & packing facilities
& number of fisherman from 3 coastal provinces participated in this event. Moradi, the
general director of the production & utilization unit of the state owned Shilat
Fisheries Company announced that 92 tons of caviar was recovered from 640 tons of fish
caught by 334 boats during the last season. Of the 92 tons of caviar produced &
packed, 18 tons came from Gilan, 34 from Mazandaran & 40 tons were from Golestan
province.
6. June 14, Sari, Mazandaran In a meeting held at the provincial office of the Department Of Environment, the
local authorities of DOE discussed the major environmental issues with the representatives
of local environmental NGOs. Green NGOs also discussed their issues with the director
general and agreed on directing their efforts towards the common high priority issues like
solid waste and sewage. The meeting then called for a “GREEN DEMONSTATION” in
favor of protection of the environment to be held on June 12th. The week of 5-12 of June
is named “The Environment Week” and various environmental activities were
carried out that week.
7. Peik Khazar Weekly, June 13 Thousands of sturgeon fingerlings released in Chalus river ended up in the
neighboring rice fields, state owned Shilat Fisheries Co. reported. The reason was said to
be illegal diversion of river water to the irrigation reservoirs by the farmers who were
predicting a water shortage in downstream areas, where the fingerlings are usually
released.
8. Hamshahri newspaper, June 23 http://www.Hamshahri.org
Illegal cutting has been a major factor in reduction of 130,000 hectares of precious
southern Caspian forests, M.R.Ebrahimi, the director general of the technical office of
Forest & Range Organization reported. Due to effective control & law enforcement
practices, he added, 20,000 cubic meters of illegally cut lumber was confiscated last
year, which shows 8,000 cubic meters increase compared to figures of previous year.
Ebrahimi claimed lack of proper equipment as a limiting factor for effective safe keep
& control of the natural resources like forests.
9. CEP-PPA reports Rallies, demonstrations and exhibitions were held by the environmental NGOs of
the 3 coastal provinces during the National Environment Week (June 5-12). Thousands of
people participated in the various events that took place in the weeklong occasion. These
events usually provide opportunities for People & authorities to meet & discuss
the local environmental issues. Mass media also become much more environmentally
informative during this annual event.
10. Peik Khazar weekly, June 13 DOE guards of Amol district of Mazandaran province arrested 27 poachers, reported
Rezaeian, the DOE director of Amol. The poachers were fined total of 23,908.000 Rials
($3000) for illegal hunting of Ibex, Bear, Red deer, Roe deer, Pheasants, Sparrow hawk,
ducks & also illegal fishing in inland waters. Illegal hunting is a major threat to
biodiversity of the southern Caspian region and due to the vast area of dense forests and
rugged terrain; DOE guards are facing hardship for effective control of the region.
11. June 20, Hamshahri daily
newspaper http://hamshahri.org
Department Of Environment of Iran & UNEP jointly sponsored the 3-day International
forum on the environment, Religion & Culture in Teheran. World’s religious
leaders or their representatives, scientists & national authorities participated in
this event.
12. July 19, IRIB Millions of fish, mostly young, died after a heavy rainfall that washed the
polluted riverbeds of central Gilan province into the globally known Anzali Lagoon.
Experts guess that sudden increase of nutrients caused oxygen deficiency in the lagoon,
which in combination with the raised level of toxic material and other pollutants, caused
the mass mortality. Anzaly Lagoon is an international wetland area of Ramsar convention.
13. July 18, Peik Khazar weekly
More than 80 tons of garbage and scattered waste material were collected from the banks of
Zarjoob River in the city of Rasht. 300 men from the city’s municipality worked for
10 hours to clean up the 6-kilometer long river bank that is within the boundaries if the
city. Rasht is the capital of the Gilan province and has a population of 400,000.
14. July 18, Peik Khazar weekly
More than 80 tons of garbage and scattered waste material were collected from the banks of
Zarjoob River in the city of Rasht. 300 men from the city’s municipality worked for
10 hours to clean up the 6-kilometer long riverbank that is within the boundaries of the
city.
1. A swimming season has
started on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian
Local authorities have taken all necessary precautions to avoid health hazards. Also, a
clean up activity has been organized by the city of Turkmenbashy authorities to improve
the esthetic view of the public rest area. For more information please contact: PPA
Turkmenistan
2. TURKMENISTAN RECEIVED GERMAN
EQUIPMENT TO CHECK WATER FLOW IN MAJOR CENTRAL ASIAN RIVER
Text of report by Turkmen TV on 18 July A set of devices designed to check water flow and
carry out its chemical analysis have been put into operation at the Darganata water
engineering complex on the Amudarya River [eastern Turkmenistan, on Turkmen-Uzbek border]
to check the quality and quantity of water in the river. The modern equipment and
measuring devices were supplied by the German (?Seba) company. The company's engineers
carried out the assembling work, tested the equipment and trained local specialists. Now a
few words about the equipment and how it works. The water measuring equipment, installed
on a motor boat, measures the speed and amount of water flow. A set of hydro-chemical
devices, including a photometer, were installed on the river bank. It checks the chemical
composition of the water. The photometer helps to carry out up to 25 various measurements
in order to detect nitric acids, salts and other elements as well as heavy metals in the
water and establish their concentration. Source: Turkmen Television first channel,
Ashgabat, in Turkmen 1400 gmt 18 Jul 01
3. PRODUCTION UP 15% IN
TURKMENISTAN
ASHGABAT. July 9 (Interfax) - Domestic production in Turkmenistan was up 15% in
January-June 2001, President Saparmurad Niyazov has said on national television.
Industrial production growth exceeded 20%, the production of gas was up 24%, and the
production of crude oil increased 18%, the president said. Agricultural production growth
exceeded 20%. The foreign trade was larger than $2 billion. Exports amounted to $1.114
billion, while imports made $1.60 billion.
4. KAZAKHSTAN, TURKMENISTAN
AGREE ON BORDERS, OIL EXPORT TARIFFS
During a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan on 5-6 July by Turkmen President Saparmurat
Niyazov, he and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbaev signed a treaty on the
delimitation and demarcation of their countries' 450 kilometer common border and a treaty
on economic cooperation from 2001-2010, Interfax reported. Niyazov told journalists after
his talks with Nazarbaev on 5 July that they also reached agreement on the tariffs for the
export to Iran via Turkmenistan of Kazakh oil. Interfax on 30 June had quoted Kazakh
Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov as telling journalists on 30 June that the price Ashgabat
demands for such exports is too high. The two presidents also discussed exporting Turkmen
gas to China via Kazakhstan, which would necessitate construction of a 300 km pipeline
from Almaty to the Chinese border. Niyazov congratulated his host on the latter's 61st
birthday on 6 July, promising him the gift of a purebred Akhal-tekke horse. By Abraham
Rein (ARein@sorosny.org)
5. TURKMEN PRESIDENT PROPOSES
NEW DATE, VENUE FOR CASPIAN SUMMIT
In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on 29 June,
Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov suggested that the twice-postponed Caspian
summit be held on 26-27 October in Ashgabat, Caucasus Press reported on 3 July. The summit
was originally scheduled to take place in the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi in early March,
postponed until mid-April, and then postponed indefinitely. Putin accepted the invitation
and reciprocated by inviting Niyazov to attend an informal meeting of CIS presidents in
Sochi on 1-3 August.
6. TURKMEN OIL AND GAS
EXTRACTION UP IN FIRST SIX MONTHS
Text of report by Turkmen TV on 2 July The Turkmennebit [Turkmen oil and gas state]
concern achieved a great result, along with all industrial sectors of the country, during
the first six months of the second year of the Turkmen golden age. The concern extracted
3,438,000 tonnes of oil and and 3,753.6m cubic metres of natural gas in the past six
months. Production was up by 11.3 per cent and 51.7 per cent respectively on the same
period last year. Source: Turkmen Television first channel, Ashgabat, in Turkmen 1300 gmt
02 Jul 01 For more information please contact: http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/turkmenistan
1. VLADIMIR PUTIN INITIATED
REORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT June16, President of RF Vladimir Putin signed Decrees on appointment Igor Yusufov
Minister of Energetics. The second personnel substitution executed by the President, was
dismissal of Minister of Natural Resources Boris Yatskevich “owing to transfer to
another position”. He was replaced by the former Head of Traffic Service Vitaly
Artyukhov. These appointments marked initiation of governmental reorganization announced
by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov in the end of December last year. According to Mikhail
Kasyanov, the president will not confine himself to these personnel substitutions.
“The problem of revising governmental structure is still pressing”, stated the
Prime Minister.
2. IOI Centre was established at
ASTU In May 2001 IOI Executive Director (International Ocean Institute founded in 1971
as NGO) Dr Gunnar Kullenberg and President of ASTU Prof. Yuri Kagakov signed Memorandum on
inauguration of the IOI Operational Centre. Henceforth the Caspian countries gained new
opportunities in integration in the areas of international education and sea ecosystem
research.
The Centre activities will be focused on:
Coastal zone sustainable development;
Education and training based on the principles of the IOI Virtual University;
Ocean governance;
Enhancement of public awareness of Caspian Sea and its conditions.
In the opinion of Dr Kullenberg, the Youth Programme
should occupy a central place in education and training process. The programme will
include courses for professional development, support to Marine Ecology School and
Floating University project. http://www.ioinst.org
3. “White Nights –
2001” 5-7 June, International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences (IAELPS),
associated member of UN Department of Public Information, held regular course of
Scientific Readings “White Nights” on thematic “Strategies to Overcome
Global Environmental Crisis”. Reports on the global environmental issues, concept of
ecological education, environmentally pure and safe technologies, risk analysis and
management and health status of the World population were presented at the plenary
sessions. http://www.maneb.spb.ru
*3 IAELPS branches are operating in Astrakhan, their
members are the core of CEG participating in implementation of CEP small grants program.
4. TACIS CELEBRATING ITS 10TH
ANNIVERSARY IN RUSSIA. INTERVIEW WITH DR. LABON, CRTC-MB, ASTRAKHAN, RUSSIA Launched by the EC in 1991, the Tacis Programme provides grant-financed technical
assistance to 13 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan), and mainly aims at enhancing the transition process
in these countries. Now Tacis also becomes a more strategic instrument in the co-operation
process between EU and partner countries.
CEP (Caspian Environment Programme) is a regional program
which helps riparian countries in reaching national objectives in the areas of their
activities. Ten years is a rather short period for the regional program and Tacis’s
(Technical Assistance to Commonwealth of Independent States and Mongolia) activity needs
to be seen as a stimulant rather than remedy for all the problems.
The main task of CRTC-MB (Caspian Regional Thematic Center
on Management of Bioresources) was to assist countries to establish a proper regional
management system for fishery resources. We have fulfilled our task by presenting to all
countries a Draft Agreement aimed to establishment of Commission that would manage fishery
resources, especially that of sturgeons. The latter are very critical to the economies of
countries of the region as without proper management a complete ban on export of caviar
may be imposed under CITES. We have developed a proposal and are trying to assist
countries to conclude an Agreement. However, the decision belongs to the Governments of
the Caspian states and not to Tacis. We feel that our task of being a catalyst and
stimulating action aimed at Russian solutions, is accomplished, and are confident that in
the process of negotiations the riparian states will reach an agreement on an appropriate
resources management scheme.
From the information available to us, it appears that
Tacis would be prepared to provide financial support to National, Regional Fishery
Resources Management System. That would have not only to continue export of caviar but
also – and most importantly – to save sturgeons and biodiversity of this unique
water body.
5. KASPNIRKH SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL WAS
HELD 13.06.01. MASS MORTALITY OF THE CASPIAN KILKA WAS DISCUSSED The speakers noted that the Caspian Sea ecosystem experiences heavy impact from
the introduced Azov/Black Sea species – comb-bearer Mnemiopsis; it affected mostly
the anchovy kilka. The results of KaspNIRKh expedition to the Middle and South Caspian in
April-May 2001, confirm the fact of emergency situation in the basin. Kilka die-off was
registered practically throughout the Middle and South Caspian except for the
uninvestigated Iranian Southern shores. Deceased fish was represented mostly by the
anchovy kilka with most densities at the areas from Bautino (Kazakhstan) to the north
Turkmenian waters. Water and fish samples were taken to reveal reasons of mass mortality,
assess environmental conditions, food supply, physiological and biochemical status of the
Caspian kilkas. Toxicological conditions in the sea changed significantly: concentration
of oil hydrocarbons, heavy metals and industrial phenols increased. Trophic composition of
the Caspian Sea altered adversely as regards development of commercial bioresources.
Biomass of organisms – main food items – declined drastically in different
regions that caused starvation and exhaustion of kilka. Biological pollution of aquatic
areas by alien species Mnemiopsis. Analysis of physiological data on biochemistry and
histology shows that kilka population was subject to stress factor of sufficient intensity
and exposure to cause mortality primarily of lean specimens, i.e. those with insignificant
lipid, protein and glycogen supplies. In this situation further decrease of kilka catches
and, probably, substitution of dominating species (big-eyed kilka prevailing). Based on
results of reports and discussions, the following decisions were adopted: develop grounds
for modified TPC (Total Permissible Catch) of kilka for the year 2002, value terms of
losses, involve institutions studying physical properties of water, oil and sludge
components, mud volcanoes outbursts, ?o-ordinate research programs on studies of impact of
Mnemiopsis on the Caspian Sea ecosystem and experiments on impact of Beroe on Mnemiopsis
and other Caspian hydrobionts with scientific institutes of the Caspian countries.
6. MAY 30, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
SERVICE OF ASTRAKHAN CELEBRATED 10TH ANNIVERSARY The present activities of Specialized Inspection on Environmental Control
embraces environmental and natural resources records and assessment, control on the city
environment, checking on the industrial and institutional performance, etc. Public
awareness, ecological education and enhancement of public ecological culture acquire more
importance. “Pure Air” campaign is conducted annually in Astrakhan with the
active participation of the municipal ecologists.
Material used from the Gorozhanin (Citizen) newspaper
7. ECOLOGICAL MEETING ORGANIZED BY
PUBLIC MOVEMENT “ASTRAKHAN” WAS DEDICATED TO INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION People gathered around the Regional administration building spoke of unfavorable
conditions in the region, threats to reserve areas from the oil companies, rapacious
sturgeon fishing and responsibilities of authorities for environmental balance in the
region. Appeal to the Governor, Chairman and Deputies of Regional Representative Assembly
was adopted by the participants of the meeting; it stated that local community should be
involved in decision-making processes that affect interests and life conditions of
Astrakhan people.
8. Expedition to Iran Members of Astrakhan regional NGO “The Open World” organized an
expedition to IRI and climbed its highest point – Demovent mountain. The expedition
aimed to strengthen friendly links between our countries as well as develop tourist
activities between Russia and Iran. Referring to the Head of Department for Support and
Development of Intermediate and Small-scale Business and Tourism Sergey Ryaskov, the idea
of such sporting tour was born after the official visit of the Governor Anatoly Guzhvin to
Gilan province in May 2001 when an Agreement on Cooperation had been signed. Department
plans include development of sports commercial tourism, and organization of cruise routes
across the Caspian as well.
17.07.01, Press release, article 1458
9. Astrakhan Regional Fisheries
Council Session July 27, regular session of Fisheries Council was held chaired by First Deputy
Head of Administration Alexander Zhilkin. This advisory body decreed by the Governor a
month ago, is intended to coordinate joint activities of research organizations,
fish-protection service, fisheries organizations with regional executive power as regards
aquatic bioresources. Head of Regional Fisheries Department Mark Karpyuk presented results
of fisheries industries for the first half year. Total catches amounted to 42 thousand
tons that is 4 thousand tons more than the previous year, comparative sturgeon catches
proved to be less (total quota – 180.9 tons). Activities aimed to conservation of
aquatic bioresources and poaching control were discussed as well.
20.07.01, Press release, article 1466
The main goal of this legislation – “rational
use of sturgeon fish at present day, rehabilitation of their stocks and conservation for
future generations”. The Draft Law provides for state regulation (monopoly) for all
processes concerned with use of sturgeons as the state property including
studies/research, reproduction, acclimatization, etc., as well as production and
circulation of market caviar and other sturgeon products. It was recommended to design the
Draft as Law of direct action providing general measures for fisheries regulation,
establishment of fish-protection and fisheries reserve areas. It was stated at the meeting
that enactment of the Law as regards international water bodies (e.g., the Caspian,
Azov/Black Sea and Amur basins) will prove to be more effective with signing correspondent
international agreements. Furthermore, its enactment will enhance the prestige of Russian
Federation in opinion of the World Community in realization of commitments in the context
of Conventions and Agreements on biodiversity conservation.
Name of the organization: Umyt
Postal address: Turkmenbashy 745000, Mirisheva Str. 12
Contact person: Khodjamurad Byashimov & Aleksei Gryaznov
Tel/fax/email: 993 243 2 43 28/2 45 46, olimp@online.tm
Languages: Turkmen & Russian
Years functioning: since 1997
Nature of the projects: Center for social rehabilitation
aims to help rehabilitation of socially unprotected layers of population (mainly handicap
and elderly) of the city through provision of consulting, educational and other services.
Also engaged in a smaller scale environmental protection and public health activities.
