The Parliament hosted the presentation on the Bill on “Aqua-Culture”. The First Deputy Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, Sulkhan Makhatadze remarked that the proposed initiative can play an important role in the development of aquaculture since it novel to the existing legislative base.

“Georgia, being a seaside country, is also rich in rivers, waterways, lakes, which enable us to develop aquaculture in the country. This will help usher into a new field that is not yet at the level of development that the country has the resources and potential to do. The development of aquaculture will also play an important part in the Georgian economy and unsurprisingly, it will also provide for great employment opportunities”, - S. Makhatadze commented.

The representative of the National Environment Agency, Zurab Dekanoidze introduced the legislative initiative to the audience and spoke about the basic principles of its adoption.

As Z. Dekanoidze remarked, aquaculture is a very important direction both internationally and nationally, as it is an important source not only in terms of material resources production and food safety, but also employment and income. He also focused on general aspects, world trends, prospects for aquaculture development and the challenges that the sector encounters.

According to him, since aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms in all types of water environments using appropriate technologies, such interference usually require state care, support, and some regulations in order for the sector to be self-sustaining. Thus, according to him, in the absence of a legislative framework there is a direct threat to the environment and in view of all this the draft law was even developed. Speaking about the principles of the Bill, Z. Dekanoidze noted that it allows for the implementation of all types of aquaculture.

The MPs dwelt on the key issues that need special attention.

The draft law has already been considered by several Committees and will be also discussed by the leading Committee in the near future, after which it will be submitted to the Plenary. The authors of the draft law are committed to cooperate with all interested parties in order to finally pass the law that will significantly promote the development of aquaculture in the country.