Rosrybolovstvo received 66 billion rubles from the sale of crab fishing rights

The Federal Fisheries Agency (Rosrybolovstvo) sold rights to catch crab for 66 billion rubles, according to the results of the first nine auctions as part of the second stage of the investment quota program. According to “Vedomosti”, eight lots were drawn – with a starting price of 61 billion rubles. investors agreed to pay 66 billion rubles. The ninth participant withdrew his application for the auction.

The winner of two auctions, the Vladkrab company (part of Russian Crab), concluded a sale deal for 17.5 billion rubles. The Island Crab company (managed by the Far Eastern Fisherman Management Company) won two more auctions; it also concluded a deal worth 17.5 billion rubles.

Two lots were won by the Sever company (a member of the Association of Crab Miners of the Far East), one lot each was given to the companies Antey (part of the Antey Group of Companies) and Amurrybprom (87% owned by Far Eastern businessman Alexander Ro).

In July, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) reported a possible monopolization of the market for crab and certain types of fish when distributing investment quotas. In the Ministry of Industry and Trade reportedthat the source of funding for subsidies for the construction of crab catchers at Far Eastern shipyards will be the proceeds from auctions for the sale of crab fishing rights.

The second stage of the investment quota program was announced at the end of 2022. As part of the program, it is planned to redistribute half of all crab fishing rights in the Far East. According to the results of the first stage (2018–2020), 50% of the quotas were played, after which investors promised to build 64 fishing vessels and 41 crab catchers. It is expected that following the results of the second stage, investors will agree on the construction of another 45 ships and 17 factories.

Read more in the Kommersant article. “Crab catchers were released into free swimming”.