Since 2019, there has been no artificial breeding of trout in Lake Ohrid, which negatively affects the already alarming situation with this endemic type of fish.
Sports fishermen say that it is unacceptable that for years there is no reproduction of trout and eel.
"Previously, artificial breeding was done and Lake Ohrid was enriched with more than 2 million trout. But, now when the state is obliged to do this, to increase their number in the lake, it does not do this", said Radovan Dimitrievski - recreational fisherman.
Dimitrievski says that in advance they had reserves for the method of carrying out the multiplication, financed by the state, for which about 200 thousand euros were allocated.
"Of these, 150 euros were received by the commercial fishing concessionaire, while another 50 euros were left for the scientific institutions, which then had to take care of the Ohrid trout to a certain extent and then release it into the water . But due to the lack of funds, the eggs were not taken care of properly and small fish were released into the lake, which were food for the trout. This needs to be changed, it is also tragic that the commercial fishing concessionaire has no obligation to increase the number in the lake, meaning that the state does this while it simply uses the number of fish. This means that the state sows his field while he only reaps it," he added.
Competent institutions for artificial reproduction blame the lack of eggs.
The Hydrobiological Institute says that they are waiting for the approval of the new law on fishing.
"I hope that many of our remarks have been incorporated into that law, instructions have been given on what changes the law should undergo so that we can function normally in terms of protecting this type of fish and in terms of meeting the conditions for artificial breeding. And then we will solve the problems we have in the institute", said Ohridija Taseska - director of the Hydrobiological Institute.
"In the annual programs for financial support in fishing and aquaculture, every year funds are provided for raising eggs and increasing their number in Lake Ohrid. Propagation is done by several registered breeding centers. In the past years, due to technical problems, no request was submitted for artificial eggs and the increase in the number in the lake", says the Ministry of Agriculture.
Unlike North Macedonia, Albania is full of Ohrid trout in recent years./Alsat.mk
