MK – NI 041

The indicator shows the number of freshwater species living in rivers and lakes in the Republic of Macedonia and the fish species represented in fishponds that are subject to aquicultural production.

At present, the indicator shows the status of:

• catch of two economically significant fish species in fishing waters;
• total catch of other fish species in fishing waters;
• total aquicultural fish production in fishponds.

Number of fish species, kilograms (tones) fish catch.

How sustainable is the fish catch in the Republic of Macedonia?

The average fish catch in the Republic of Macedonia is 1. 370 tons of different fish species. The overall fish catch had periodical trend of reduction and increase, from 2003 to 2006 the catch reduced because individual fishing companies, business entities and concessionaires lost their permits for fishing activities in individual aquatic basins and high number of sports fishing clubs were terminated.

The greatest fish cat was noted in 2000 amounting 1834, and the lowest one was in 2006 and amounted 813 tons. Carp is the leading species in lowland waters with a catch of 220 tons in 2016, and trout in highland waters with a catch of 973 tons in 2016. Trout had the highest share in the total fish catch in 2016 with 75.3%, followed by carp with 17.03%, other fish with 4.41% and catfish had lowest share with 3.25%.

Figure 1. Total fish catch

Figure2. Catch of the main fish species

Figure 3. Total fish catch by fish species

Data coverage: excel

Source: State Statistical Office, http://www.stat.gov.mk/Default_en.aspx

During the observed period, with regard to total fish catch (production of commercial fish and fishing by sports fishermen)in the Republic of Macedonia, the average catch is 1.370 tons of different fish species. In the period from 1995 to 2003, the overall fish catch had periodical trend of reduction and increase, from 2003 to 2006 the catch decreased because some fishing companies, business entities and concessionaireslost their licenses for fishing activities in certain water basins, and significant number of sports fishing clubs were terminated.

Trend of increase by 104.6% in the total fish catch was noted in the period 2006 to 2010 compared to 2006, i.e. it increased from 813 to 1664 tons of fish. Then, in the period 2011 to 2016, there was drop in fish catch again compared to 2010 by 22.39%.

Figure 3 showsthatthecarpispredominantfishspeciesin lowland waters with a catch of 220 tons in 2016, while trout is leading in highland waters with a catch of 973 tons in 2016. In the total fish catch in 2016, trout had the highest share with 75.3%, followed by carp with 17.03%, other fish species with 4.41% and catfish with 3.25% noted lowest share.

Fishing and fish stock exploitation in fish ponds and artificial water accumulations in the Republic of Macedonia is under permanent supervision, with constant carefor the fish stocks and regular stocking with economically important fish species. In this way, sustainable development and exploitation of fish as an important economic resource is provided, as well as for sports fishing. Exploitation of fish stocks from natural lakes has been coping with permanent problems for a longer period, including over-fishing and uncontrolled fish catch in those aquatic ecosystems. These activities affect particularly the endemic fish species, such as Ohrid trout (SalmoletnicaKar.), as well as other endemic species represented by small populations in certain aquatic ecosystems.

Methodology for the indicator calculation

The source of data on the characteristics of fish stocks in the Rerpublic of Macedonia is the State Statistical Office and their methods are used for data processing.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty derives from the assumed incomplete data on fish catch in rivers and lakes. The uncertainty increases further because of the limitted number of literature data on genetic structure of fish populations in natural aquatic ecosystems.