Foreign commercial fishing, tourism probably started in the eighties. And oddly enough, it is strictly forbidden for tourists of foreign countries,
the more capitalist countries.
It all began with the arrival from the USA to Moscow in rosohotrybolovsouz President of the fishing Association Trout Unlimited (TU) bill Davis, who expressed a desire to cooperate with us in various fields and, in particular, in the fishing sport. A few years later a new President, “TU” Mr. Worm was asked to arrange for members of their Association fishing salmon on the Kola Peninsula. This desire was argued by the uniqueness of the population of the Kola salmon. To catch a fish is the dream of every American angler. A similar request has us stumped, as this region strictly closed to any foreigner, especially Americans.
For their part, they promised to take care of all expenses associated with the trip, and for fishing to pay to the budget of 30 thousand dollars. After much consideration it was decided to go to Murmansk and try to convince the administration to make an exception for American colleagues.
The first Secretary of the Murmansk regional Committee of the CPSU extremely outraged our suggestion and bluntly asked: “do You not know that this land haven’t set foot no foreign foot?!” My arguments about what the guests will be under special control and surveillance that caught the entire two days the fish release in the pond (the principle of “TU” – “catch and release”), which will not cause any damage to the environment, did not alter the official. Only when he heard the main argument on the replenishment of the regional budget of 30 thousand dollars, strict Secretary relented — maybe worth a try?
Instructed the Chairman of the Executive Committee, who in turn instructed all authorities to explore opportunities for such an experiment. Began the “ordeal”. Approval must be obtained in Allgb, Murmanrybvoda, oblkomstata for tourism and nature protection, scientific organizations, particularly the Institute of fisheries. Hopes for a positive decision was little, but the desire to overcome the bureaucracy increased.
Two of my weighty argument — 30 thousand dollars and no damage region — helped to come almost to the end. Surprisingly, the question of the KGB decided effortlessly. With the consent of almost all power structures in fish Institute I was walking with ease and without a drop of doubt in a positive decision. However, scientists opposed. The fact that salmon is a very delicate fish. If she is injured by the hooks of the spinner, and when even drops of blood, she falls asleep and let her “home” is meaningless.
Do all my work in coordination went down the drain? Had to convince other arguments. First, fishing will only be fly fishing, an artificial fly with a single hook. In this case, the percentage of destruction of fish by scientific data in some countries are minimal, only 1-2 %, 20-30 %, as in fishing lures. The data of foreign colleagues shook our scientists. Second, did our country become poor from the possible death of several fishes? And third, to 30 thousand dollars it will be possible to significantly replenish the reservoirs fish stocking material. The discussion was completed and soon made the decision to consent to the arrival of us lovers of fly-fishing in the Murmansk oblast.
In 1987, for the first time in the history of our country to Murmansk earth arrived American citizens of different professions, but all Amateur fishermen with a decent experience. From Murmansk I took the train. Driving through the town of Apatity, we tried to distract guests from unpleasant landscape landscape similar to the effects of an atomic explosion.
After placing on the fishing base of the Murmansk regional society of hunters and fishermen went to the place of fishing — the river. After two or three hours, as the tourists already were fishing, suddenly heard gunshots in their direction. Was shot by the local “owners” of the river — poachers. Felt sorry for them to give someone “their property”. We promptly called the authorities explained the thieves, that it is the Americans who fish the product is not needed. Another unpleasant surprise was an accident with a foreigner, who, entangled in poaching networks, almost drowned. In the end, all ended well and everyone was happy. Anglers felt the power of Russian salmon, and power — the hardness of the currency.
After this epic we have repeatedly offered Minrybhoz, local government officials to begin to develop foreign fishing tourism, which would significantly replenish the state Treasury. But it all had to be put on the state track. However, after a few years was reversed. On the Kola Peninsula on our natural resources began to cash in a foreign company, building with the consent of the local authorities of the so-called “dzhint venture”, joint venture on the organization of licensed fishing of salmon. Now, unfortunately, they’re running the show…
