Kazakhstan has taken a decisive step into the blue‑economy arena, unveiling its first commercial marine fish‑farm on the Caspian coast of Mangistau. The project is being billed as a flagship of the nation’s climate‑adaptation push, promising high‑value protein, new jobs and a showcase of water‑efficient aquaculture in a region long dominated by oil and tourism.
The farm, sited at the Port of Kuryk, will house three giant net‑cage units – each 120 metres in circumference and 25 metres deep – sprawling across roughly 3 000 ha of sea surface. In its two‑year pilot phase the operation is slated to yield between 300 t and 1 600 t of fish annually, before scaling up to a steady 5 000 t per year. A simple data table illustrates the trajectory:
| Phase | Expected annual output | Cage area (ha) | Jobs created |
|——-|————————|—————-|————–|
| Pilot (years 1‑2) | 300‑1 600 t | 3 000 | 80+ |
| Full‑scale (post‑2026) | 5 000 t | 3 000 | – |
Beyond the numbers, the venture is set to create more than 80 positions ranging from hatchery technicians to logistics staff, injecting fresh employment into a labour market that has traditionally hinged on hydrocarbons and seasonal tourism.
Presidential advisor Zulfiya Suleimenova, who presented Kazakhstan’s climate‑action vision in July 2025, hailed the farm as “a low‑land‑use, high‑value protein source that dovetails with our ambition to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions and safeguard water resources.” Her endorsement underscores the government’s belief that modern cage‑culture, especially when powered by renewable energy, can deliver a smaller carbon footprint per kilogram of protein than conventional livestock.
The farm’s output aligns with the broader goals of the 2026 Climate‑Action Plan, which targets a 15 % cut in national GHG emissions by 2030 – potentially 25 % with international support – and a carbon‑neutral pathway by 2060. While the 5 000 t of fish will represent only a fraction of Kazakhstan’s aspirational 50 000 t annual fish‑production target, the project’s emphasis on minimal land use and the prospect of renewable‑powered operations fit neatly into the plan’s resource‑efficiency narrative. However, the absence of a farm‑level emissions inventory and precise water‑use figures leaves the quantitative alignment still to be proven.
Water availability remains a pivotal concern. Mangistau’s desalination infrastructure has been bolstered to 40 000 m³ per day, with nine additional plants slated to add another 140 500 m³ per day, signalling a regional capacity boost to meet expanding industrial demand. A separate halophyte‑cultivation scheme has been granted a 6 000 m³ hour⁻¹ extraction limit from the Caspian Sea, yet no comparable cap has been disclosed for the fish‑farm. Without a clear water‑balance – intake, recirculation and discharge – regulators cannot verify compliance with existing extraction ceilings, highlighting a critical data gap that must be addressed before the farm reaches full capacity.
Policy Box – Climate‑Adaptation Highlights for Mangistau Aquaculture
– GHG targets: 15 % reduction by 2030; 25 % possible with support; carbon‑neutral by 2060.
– Water‑efficiency goals: Align with national desalination expansion (total ~180 000 m³ day⁻¹) and sector‑wide extraction caps.
– Renewable energy push: Encourage solar or wind‑powered pump and filtration systems to minimise emissions.
– Monitoring framework: Mandate life‑cycle assessments and regular water‑use reporting for all marine‑farm licences.
In sum, the Mangistau marine‑fish‑farm stands as a bold pilot that could cement Kazakhstan’s reputation as a leader in climate‑smart aquaculture. Realising its promise will hinge on transparent disclosure of per‑hectare yields, water‑use forecasts and emissions data, alongside clear regulatory guidance that ties the venture to the region’s water‑extraction limits. With those pieces in place, the farm could become a template for sustainable, high‑value food production across the water‑scarce steppes of Central Asia.
Image Source: pixabay.com
