Caspian countries eye issues of biological resources

Ashgabat is hosting a meeting of representatives of the authorised organisations of the Caspian fisheries' states, which is discussing the draft agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources of the Caspian Sea, the Turkmen government said.

The Caspian Sea washes the shores of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan.

It is necessary to effect the preparation of a regional mechanism to preserve the rich natural world of the Caspian Sea and ensure a consistent level of environmental management that meets the interests of the economy and ecology of each party.

'The purpose of the agreement being developed is to create an effective mechanism of interaction between the Caspian states on this important issue', the information said.

Biodiversity of flora and fauna of the Caspian Sea consists of more than two thousand species. The pride of the Caspian Sea is a unique herd of sturgeon, the largest in the world and they need special attention being the most valuable inhabitants of the Caspian Sea.
It is also home to dozens of species of crustaceans, worms and molluscs, particularly important as a food supply for many fish and aquatic birds. Several transcontinental migration bird routes cross the coastal zone in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. The fact that a fifth of the world's population of ordinary flamingo stay here for winter shows how important the area is.

The delegates emphasised "the need to further develop the legal framework governing the various activities in the Caspian Sea in the light of the goals and objectives for economic management and implementation of the huge tourism potential in that region and the conservation of flora and fauna of this unique natural complex."

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest intra-continental basin not connected to any ocean. It is unique in that it has retained various relict flora and fauna, including the world's largest herd of sturgeon (90 per cent of world reserves).

The Sea is the most important migration route and habitat for waterfowl and shore birds. Shallow water and coastal wetlands are highly productive areas and important habitat for marine organisms: fish, seals and birds of international importance.

However there are a number of preconditions for the possible pollution of the Caspian Sea. Amongst them the development of hydrocarbon reserves in the sea and the surrounding areas, high population density and concentration of industry in the surrounding areas, intensive agricultural development in the valleys of the rivers flowing to the Sea and the absence of an explicit geochemical barrier 'river-sea'.


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