KHUJAND, July 5, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Fish reserves of the Syr Darya River in northern Tajikistan have reportedly fallen at least five times since 1996.

Sanginboy Qurbonov, head of the flora and fauna preservation department within the Sughd agency for environmental protection, says fish reserves of the Qairoqqum reservoir were 500 tons in 1996, while at present they are only some 100 tons.

According to him, shortage of money for purchase of fish food, lack of enough young fishes and a number of objective reasons have affected population of fishes in Sughd province.  “For the purpose of replenishing fish stocks in the area the ban on fishing is introduced annually from April 5 to June 20, during the spawning,” Qurbonov noted.

At present nineteen species of fishes, including sturgeons, trout, pikes, roaches, redeye, sheatfishes, marinka, breams, silver carps, carps, asps and others, reportedly inhabit the basin of the Syr Darya River.  There is only one fishing enterprises in the province – open joint-stock company Sughd Mohi.