Sevastopol intends to revive oyster production

The Sevastopol enterprise for growing oysters and mussels, NIO Mariculture LLC, plans to return to the aquaculture production levels before the “storm of the century.”

The recovery of the industry, which suffered from the devastating storm of 2023, is facilitated by systemic government support and the introduction of advanced technologies. In 2024, the first year after the storm, the company produced 25 tons of products.

Since 2019, the Government of Sevastopol has allocated more than 25 million rubles for the development of aquaculture. In 2025, to recover from the consequences of the “storm of the century,” the amount of state support was increased and amounted to almost 9 million rubles.

Support is provided for the purchase of planting material, equipment and feed,” noted Ekaterina Mishchenko, head of the fisheries complex department of the livestock management department.

In 2025, using subsidies from NIO Marikultura LLC, a plant for cultivating algae was purchased, as well as 300 thousand pieces of spat oysters.

According to the director of the enterprise, Vladislav Shenyavsky, algae are the basis of nutrition for future delicacies, and our own cultivation allows us to control the quality of the food supply.

In addition, over the years, the company has developed unique storm-resistant trusses. Although the “storm of the century” of 2023 caused serious damage and production losses reached 80%, the experience gained made it possible to strengthen the structures.

Now the nuances have been taken into account and many things have been corrected. We use floating cages that are anchored at a depth of 3.5–5 meters. The oyster growing cycle is about three years, during which the products are sorted several times. Given the current dynamics and taking into account the new stocking of fish, by the end of 2026 it is planned to reach the 2023 levels — 65 tons of marketable products per year,” explained Vladislav Shenyavsky.

Sevastopol seafood products today are in demand not only in Crimea. Oysters from local farmers are supplied to restaurants in Moscow, the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Tatarstan and even to Siberia.

Products undergo mandatory cleaning in a sterile pool for at least two days, after which laboratory tests are carried out. Only after confirmation of safety is the oyster packed and sent to the buyer.

Let us remind you that NIO “Mariculture” LLC is also working with the Institute of Biology of the South Seas to create the first industrial nursery in Russia. This will meet the needs of all farmers on the Black Sea coast and reduce dependence on imports.

source: press service of the Government of Sevastopol