The Federal Fishery Agency called Rosrybolovstvo announced the move recently, adding that it will also be sending its trawlers and research vessels to some of the more remote parts of the world.

The agency said Russia should become more involved with other countries with greater international co-operation in areas like fish processing and catching.

The Russian leader Vladimir Putin has described his country's fishing industry as being uncompetitive and was selling its fish 'dirt cheap' to countries abroad - only to find itself importing processed fish at inflated prices. A temporary ban on Russian fish exports cannot be ruled out following these remarks.

In addition to the Barents Sea fleet Russia has large fishing interests in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea and is expanding its fish farming industry. If oil is regarded as black gold, caviar is seen as 'black pearls.'

Mr. Vladimir Belyaev, head of unit in the Fishery Agency, told the International Congress of Fishermen said that Russia would achieve its global fishery ambitions with the establishment of a new state enterprise on fish catch and processing. In his presentation to the congress, Mr. Belyaev also said that Russia should do more to engage in cooperation with leading fishery nations.

The main priority for Russia was the strengthening of international cooperation with other countries based on the principles of good neighbourhood and mutual partnership, he added.

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