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Russian fisheries agency starts revoking catch quotas from foreigners-controlled companies

The measures are aimed at ensuring transparency of the fishing industry and promoting security of the state, the agency stressed

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries initiated termination of contracts for fishing quotas with companies illegally controlled by foreign investors according to data of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, press service of the Agency told TASS on Monday.

"The Federal Agency for Fisheries is currently implementing procedures on termination of contracts for assignment of shares in quotas with certain fishing companies unlawfully controlled by foreign investors. These measures are aimed at ensuring transparency of the fishing industry and promoting security of the state," a spokesperson of the Agency said.

Procedures are implemented on the basis of conclusions of the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), the spokesperson said. The Federal Agency for Fisheries received five conclusions of the FAS of Russia, carried into force on the basis of judicial acts, in respect of OOO Atlantika, PAO HK Dalmoreprodukt, OOO Typhoon, OOO CRAB DV and OOO Zarubinskaya Fleet Base. Procedures terminating the right to fish are currently performed against these companies.

History of Issue

The Federal Agency for Fisheries noted that amendments were made into the federal law on fisheries at the turn of 2014, aimed at limiting influence of foreign capital in the fishing industry, which is a strategic one. A foreign investor must receive a permit from the special government commission prior to becoming the fishing company owner. The antimonopoly watchdog established that the above companies failed to comply with regulations for the permit to produce aquatic bio-resources.

Mentioned companies disputed FAS conclusions in court and the court recognized the decision of the antimonopoly regulator as justified, the Agency spokesperson said. According to FAS conclusions and published court papers, OOO Atlantika, PAO HK Dalmoreprodukt, OOO Typhoon, OOO CRAB DV and OOO Zarubinskaya Fleet Base were under control by Ukrainian citizen Dmitry Dremlyuga.

Shares of quotas will be presented at open auctions in accordance with the long-term practice, the Agency added.