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Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia introduced a new draft law on aquaculture
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili attended the meeting, whereby the new draft law on aquiculture was discussed by participants.
“Sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity will further stimulate the increase of income, create jobs and promote socio-economic development in the country.
Georgia is rich in water resources, has a great potential and needs a proper management of these resources.
The new bill is an important step to move forward in terms of rational and effective use of water resources and its potential in the country ”Levan Davitashvili said.
The new bill aims to attract investments and promote aquaculture sector in Georgia. According to the draft law, aquaculture zones will be allocated in the marine waters and permits will be issued for the use in the respective territory. The bill will also regulate aquaculture facilities across the country.
The new regulations will help to protect interests of the public, permit holders and natural resource users. The regulation how to benefit or use Georgia's Black Sea Continental Shelf, territorial waters and special economic zone and Georgia's inland waterways (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, canals, watersheds and other aquifers) for aquaculture purposes , also rational and effective use of all above mentioned resources , which includes the cultivation (cultivation, rearing, multiplication) of aquatic organisms (fish, aquatic plants, etc.) are included in the new bill.
The draft law is developed in line with the international practice to safeguard the interests of local people, it also provides the issuance of permits for inland waterways (lakes, reservoirs) , associations comprising persons living in specific municipalities, agricultural (fish farming) cooperatives established for this purpose. The new draft law will involve NGOs, representatives of scientific circles and experts.
After the consultations, the draft law will be sent to the Parliament of Georgia for further revision. The representatives of the Government of Georgia, members of the Parliamentary Committees on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and Agrarian Affairs, state agencies and NGOs attended the presentation of the new draft law.
The event was organized with the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).