BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. The abundant and
clean water resources of the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic
regions create opportunities to establish sustainable aquaculture
clusters while preserving the ecological balance in these areas,
Head of the Agricultural and Ecology Department of the Cabinet of
Ministers' Office Latif Gasimov said, Trend's correspondent reports from the
event.
He made the remarks at the First Azerbaijan Regional Aquaculture
Forum held in Baku on Thursday, November 5.
He said that the liberated territories are considered a priority
area for establishing sustainable aquaculture clusters.
"Modern, high-tech facilities established in these areas could
significantly expand not only our domestic market but also our
regional export potential," Gasimov noted.
The department head emphasized that climate change and water
scarcity require a shift toward climate-resilient aquaculture
practices. In this regard, the introduction of artificial
intelligence-based monitoring systems at aquaculture facilities is
becoming increasingly important.
According to him, real-time monitoring of water temperature,
oxygen levels and biochemical composition through digital sensors
would help increase productivity while also making it possible to
anticipate environmental risks.
Gasimov said that protecting and restoring native and endemic
fish species in inland water bodies, particularly the valuable
genetic resources of the Caspian basin, should remain a priority.
The development of commercial aquaculture should reduce pressure on
natural ecosystems and dependence on wild fish stocks.
He noted that the State Program for the Development of
Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture Production and Processing
in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030, approved by an order
of President Ilham Aliyev dated May 25, 2026, serves as the main
roadmap for the sector's development.
"Implementation of the State Program, the organization of
fishing activities based on sustainable principles, the
introduction of digital monitoring and tracking systems, and the
expansion of fish-breeding activities will contribute to restoring
aquatic biological resources, increasing productivity and
establishing a sustainable development model," he added.
According to Gasimov, the establishment of the Fisheries and
Aquaculture Center under the Ministry of Agriculture will help
achieve the goals of the State Program by bringing state regulation
and support mechanisms for producers together under a "one-stop
shop" approach.
He also stressed that sustainable aquaculture clusters could
create new opportunities for agritourism and ecotourism in the
regions.
