The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution “On approving the Procedure for the functioning, filling and maintenance of the Unified State Electronic System for the Management of the Fisheries Sector — e-Fishery”.
The resolution defines the purpose, objectives, capabilities and structure of the digital system, as well as the principles of operation of its components.
How does e-Fishery work?
Several components of the e-Fishery system are already operational, including:
- declaration of the right to industrial fishing and research catch;
- conclusion of agreements on the right to special use of aquatic bioresources;
- online issuance, reissuance or termination of permits for industrial fishing;
- marking of fishing gear;
- electronic logbook of fisheries activities and digital catch receipt.
These tools ensure effective fisheries management, conservation and restoration of aquatic bioresources, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and digitalise 100% of services in the fisheries sector.
What are the results of e-Fishery?
- The period for issuing permits has been reduced from 30 days to 2 (in practice — to 15 minutes), saving businesses over UAH 150 million annually.
- Paper reporting has been replaced with electronic records of activities and catches.
- The ability to trace the route of fish from the water body to the landing site has become an effective measure against poaching.
- Budget revenues have increased from UAH 15 million to UAH 150 million annually, part of which is allocated to restocking water bodies.
- Up to 54.2% of illegal vessels have been legalised.
The resolution was jointly developed by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the State Agency of Land Reclamation and Fisheries of Ukraine, and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO). The preparation of the resolution in terms of introducing digital solutions and establishing the digital system for tracing aquatic bioresources and related products on the e-Fishery platform was made possible within the “Digitalisation for Growth, Integrity and Transparency” (UK DIGIT) project, implemented by Eurasia Foundation and funded by UK Dev.