Abstract:

The paper aims at presenting and analyzing the natural water resources of the Republic of Moldova from the perspective of recovery for fishy production. As regards its total surface area, the Republic of Moldova has a significant natural fishy potential. Rivers, lakes and other wetlands cover 95,000 ha, or 2.8% of the country. Only 7.5% of the natural aquaculture potential is harnessed in the fishy area, with five autochthonous fish farms operating on the national territory. The vast majority of the fisheries operate extensively, based on pond culture in polyculture system. Although the national territory has significant natural resources, their exploitation is ineffective, the national food market depending on the imports of fishery products. A number of fish species from the natural environment are endangered, measures to protect them being necessary. At national level it is necessary to apply methods of Government support that encourage private initiative in the development of the fishing sector, mainly in the direction of an intensive exploitation by means of aquaculture. The access to European space pre-accession funds may represent a solution to revive the Moldovan fishy sector.