100,000 sturgeon and 20,000 Caspian salmon released into the Caspian Sea on International Day for Biological Diversity

An event dedicated to May 22, International Biodiversity Day, was held at the Kur-Tehrubi Nara Fish Farm located in the Neftchala district. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov, officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan Muhammad Nasar Hayat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Azerbaijan Katsuya Watanabe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mexico to Azerbaijan Maria Victoria Romero Caballero, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Russia and Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan, representatives of relevant state agencies, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “LU-MUN Holding” LLC Emil Mammadsadigov, employees of fishing and aquaculture enterprises.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov said that important work is being carried out in Azerbaijan to protect biodiversity. Stating that biodiversity plays an important role in the field of fisheries, Minister Majnun Mammadov noted that the steps taken in the field of proper management of fish stocks, regulation of the hunting season, and protection of rare and endangered species not only protect the environment, but also ensure the sustainability of economic activity in the regions. Noting that the Caspian Sea and inland water bodies are rich in rare and endemic species, Minister Majnun Mammadov emphasized that biodiversity protection, combating illegal hunting and scientifically based management are among the priority areas.

The Minister added that important measures are regularly taken to develop fisheries in our country. On December 19, 2024, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, signed a relevant Decree on the development of fisheries and aquaculture in the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the Decree, a “Fisheries and Aquaculture Center” was established under the Ministry of Agriculture. The center will increase productivity in fisheries, improve the management and control system in this area, form resources, as well as organize and regulate fishing and aquaculture farms in accordance with modern requirements. The release of sturgeon and Caspian salmon into the sea is one of the important activities in terms of protecting the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.

The head of the Neftchala District Executive Power, Mirhasan Seyidov, noted that the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev attached special importance to the sustainability of the ecosystem in Azerbaijan, and that the environmental policy of the National Leader was successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

Emil Mammadsadigov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “LU-MUN Holding” LLC, noted that this event, organized in Neftchala in accordance with the instructions and instructions of President Ilham Aliyev on the protection of natural resources, serves to increase biodiversity in the country. This initiative, implemented with the support of several companies, forms a solid foundation for continued cooperation in order to create large-scale benefits.

Nurlan Abdinov, Director of Azerbaijan Fish Farm, said that the main goal is to gradually increase the number of fish released into the wild to 1 million. This initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to the principle of "sustainable and regenerative aquaculture".

Fidan Farzaliyeva, Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), noted that biodiversity protection is one of the main goals of AZAL's Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy (ESG), as part of its "Zero/Near Zero Emissions" Plan. According to her, the organization she represents attaches special importance to supporting projects based on the restoration of ecosystems, protection of natural habitats and nature conservation.

After the opening ceremony, as part of a large-scale ecological initiative on the occasion of May 22 - International Day for Biological Diversity, 100,000 sturgeon and 20,000 Caspian salmon were released into the Caspian Sea by Azerbaijan Fish Farm LLC, a subsidiary of LU-MUN Holding LLC. Then, the delegation visited the Kur-Experimental Sturgeon Breeding Plant and got acquainted with the company's sustainable fishing activities based on modern technologies.

It should be noted that the large-scale ecological initiative aimed at protecting biodiversity was implemented with the support of SOCAR, AZAL, Azerbaijan Poultry Company (Mercan), Wings (Sakura), Gilan Holding, Azvarvara, CMS Properties, and Alltech Coppens.