Efficient fishery in Kazakhstan’s Aral Sea area focus of OSCE event

A conference on efficient management of fish resources and biodiversity conservation as part of the ‘green growth’ approach in Kazakhstan’s Aral Sea Basin Area took place from 4 to 6 December 2013 in Kyzylorda in southern Kazakhstan.

Some 70 representatives from local municipalities, water basin councils, academia and non-governmental organizations took part in the event organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) Executive Directorate in Kazakhstan, the Environment and Water Resources Ministry and the local administration.

Special attention was paid to the opportunities and challenges stemming from the recent increase of the water level in the Lesser Aral Sea after the construction of Kokaral Dam, which split the Sea into larger and smaller parts.

The event is part of the Centre’s long-term efforts to promote efficient water management systems and protect fragile ecosystems in the northern part of the Aral Sea.