New Business Hatches At Kyrgyzstan’s Fish Farms

Fishermen travel across Lake Issyk-Kul, the site of some of Kyrgyzstan's fish farms.

A man-made lake at the Karakol fish farm in the Ak-Suu region.

The Karakol fish farm has 16 man-made lakes over 75 hectares, but just four are in operation.

During the Soviet era, some Kyrgyz fisheries could produce as much as 500 tons of fish a year. Today, all Kyrgyz fisheries combined produce 300 tons of fish annually.

Reviving the fish-farming industry is expected to require a high level in investment in food, infrastructure, and breeding laboratories.

A variety of species are raised in local hatcheries.

Researchers collect data on local specimens. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization is assisting Kyrgyz fisheries in improving production.