Sustainable Management of Endemic Ichthofauna of the Issyk-Kul Lake Basin

The project addresses a priority sector (fishery) that has an impact upon globally important biomes (the inland waters of Kyrgyzstan). The Project adopts the guidance provided in the information paper submitted by STAP to the GEF Council in November 2004 entitled: Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Production Landscapes and Sectors (Interim) Report (GEF/C.24/Inf.11). The proposed project addresses the objectives of the SO 2 by integrating the need for the conservation of endemic species within the lake ecosystem with the production demand of commercial fisheries practices and the cultural practices of the local communities. In order to achieve this, the project will undertake reforms to fisheries management policy and practices at the national level so it will incorporate the requirements for conservation of endemic fish species, will develop alternative sources of supply to fill commercial demand, and will artificially enhance the level of endemic species in what is effectively an altered ecosystem which cannot currently guarantee survival and re-establishment of such endemics without such intervention. This will demonstrate important lessons and practices that will be transferable both nationally and globally to similar production-related ecosystems.