Mykolaiv fishermen gathered with authorities to discuss European integration
Local challenges: in Mykolaiv they discussed the future of the fishing industry
The formation of modern policy in the field of fisheries and aquaculture is impossible without a continuous dialogue between the state, the expert community and those who work in the sector every day. Such a conversation took place 28 April 2026 in Mykolaiv during the discussion of legislative changes aimed at implementing European Union standards and updating approaches to fisheries regulation.
The event was attended by representatives of the executive bodies of the city council, the Expert‑Public Council, the regional branch of the State Fisheries Agency and the city’s fishing community.
Participants focused on how the forthcoming changes will affect not only fishing rules but also the development of aquaculture as a separate strategic direction. It was emphasized that European approaches need to be adapted to Ukrainian conditions, taking into account local fishing traditions and the ecological condition of water bodies. The restoration of aquatic bioresources and the role of communities in these processes were also highlighted as important topics.
Coordinator of the AQUABATOR project Artem Vashchylenko noted that such discussions form the basis for practical changes in the sector:
“Aquaculture today is becoming one of the key tools for the sustainable development of fisheries. Our task is not only to talk about changes, but to show how they work in practice. That is why a pilot demonstration aquafarm will be created in Mykolaiv, which will allow testing modern approaches, training specialists and building a new culture of responsible production.”
Based on the results of the meeting, proposals were developed for legislative changes concerning the management of commercial fishing in urban waters, stocking mechanisms, the use of funds from permitting activities and fines for the restoration of natural resources, as well as the development of institutional interaction between state bodies and the public. These developments will subsequently be submitted to the relevant authorities for further elaboration, – the city council said.
