MMC Norilsk Nickel and the Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo) have entered into a cooperation agreement. The document was signed on 7 June 2019 at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum by Ilya Shestakov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery, and Dmitry Pristanskov, State Secretary — Vice President, Nornickel.

The agreement provides for cooperation in conserving aquatic biological resources in the regions of the Company’s operations, sharing aquaculture research data, running joint workshops and other training activities.

“Conserving national fish stocks is a Government priority. Rosrybolovstvo supervises over 100 fish-breeding facilities engaged in artificial reproduction of aquatic biological resources throughout Russia. However, growing anthropogenic pressures call for more extensive damage compensation to protect water bodies used for fishing purposes. Working together with a major such as Nornickel is a step towards reserve conservation and recovery,” said Ilya Shestakov.

According to Dmitry Pristanskov, the Company reiterates its commitment to consistent implementation of its ambitious environmental programme, including with respect to biological diversity conservation. Nornickel’s Polar Division and its subsidiaries have long been engaged in the recovery of aquatic biological resources of the Yenisey River releasing young sturgeon, grayling and Arctic char into the river.

“This initiative is of particular importance for the environmental balance of Russia’s Arctic Zone and has a great social impact. Fishing is part of the traditional way of life for the indigenous minorities of the North,” emphasised the Vice President of Nornickel. “I am confident that our cooperation with Rosrybolovstvo will prove that public-private partnership is a powerful combination. Our joint efforts will undoubtedly help us deliver on the objectives of the Environment national project in terms of conserving aquatic biological resources.”

With its Biodiversity Policy in place, the Company is actively engaged in working with specially protected natural areas — the Joint Directorate for Taimyr Nature Reserves in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Pasvik and Lapland Reserves in the Murmansk Region and the Relict Oaks State Reserve in the Trans-Baikal Territory. The Company’ cooperation with nature reserves focuses on developing research and technology and supporting their social, volunteering and environmental awareness programmes.

Nornickel and Federal Agency for Fishery join forces