Expedition to study fish stocks in African countries could start in H2 2024 - Rosrybolovstvo head

MOSCOW. April 8 (Interfax) - The expedition to study the fish stocks of African countries, which Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency (Rosrybolovstvo) is preparing together with African partners, could begin in the second half of this year, Rosrybolovstvo head Ilya Shestakov said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Putin gave the order to organize the expedition following the conclusion of last year's Russia-Africa forum.

"We are currently cooperating with our colleagues from African countries on a large survey to study fish stocks in African countries. We are currently discussing this. There is funding for this, and headquarters have been created. We should start in the second half of the year," Shestakov said.

Putin said that African representatives are interested in working together.

"We will definitely take their scientists on board, and we will, of course, share all the data that are obtained," Shestakov said.

As reported, the Great African Expedition should cover 14 countries of the continent, though this figure could be adjusted. The research should allow the Russian fishing fleet to expand the resource base to increase its catch.