A large-scale state program to restore biological resources in the country’s strategic water bodies will be launched in Ukraine in 2026. The project will cover the Dnipro, Kyiv, Kremenchug and Kamian reservoirs, as well as the lower reaches of the Dniester River and the Dniester Estuary.
The main goal of the initiative is to significantly increase the populations of native fish species, in particular pike, zander and catfish. Financing of these measures will be provided by proceeds from auctions for the sale of rights to commercial fishing, which became possible due to the revision of the starting prices for the relevant lots.
According to the relevant agency, the stocking process will take place in two stages to achieve the maximum level of survival of young fish. In the spring, one-year-old fish will be released into the reservoir, and in the fall – year-old and two-year-old fish. In addition to predatory species, ecosystems will be replenished with herbivorous fish, which play the role of natural land reclamation, helping to purify water from excessive vegetation and improve the overall ecological condition of water bodies.
“This approach allows to increase the level of fish adaptation and the effectiveness of population restoration in our strategic water bodies,” the State Agency for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs of Ukraine emphasized.
The implementation of the program creates favorable conditions for the development of the private sector in the field of aquaculture. The State Fisheries Agency calls on domestic farms to actively participate in the work. Business was able to participate in state tenders for the supply of stock and directly carry out measures to release fish into water bodies. Such cooperation should become an additional incentive for the development of the fishing industry and attracting investments in the cultivation of valuable species of bioresources.
“Business can participate in state tenders, supply fish stock and carry out work on stocking reservoirs, which creates additional opportunities for the industry,” the department added.
It is worth noting that the country’s government continues to expand instruments to support the agricultural sector. In particular, enterprises engaged in aquaculture are provided with the opportunity to receive state compensation in the amount of up to 20% of the costs of breeding and growing fish. This decision applies to the entire territory of Ukraine and is aimed at strengthening the state’s food security and providing the domestic market with high-quality domestic products.
A comprehensive approach to stocking and attracting private capital will not only restore the natural balance in the Dnieper and Dniester basins, but also increase the industrial potential of Ukrainian reservoirs. Systematic work in this direction is an important component of the state’s environmental strategy aimed at preserving biodiversity and rational use of natural resources.
The implementation of the planned plans in 2026 will be an important step towards the sustainable development of the Ukrainian fisheries industry.
