Official Letter No. 09 - 04 - 01/4 of 1998 of the Ministry of Finance regarding Federal Law "On charges for the use of wildlife species and aquatic biodiversity".

The Ministry of Finance is of the opinion that in the process of elaboration of the proposals regarding the establishment of the top limits for the use of aquatic biodiversity as regards single species there could be applied differentiated approach taking into consideration profitableness of certain types of production, their marketable value, the conditions and the zones of catch and harvest. In such circumstances single types of resources and single zones of catch and harvest can be exonerated from charges. Eventually a gradual introduction of charges in accordance with the classification of types of resources with the initial introduction of charges for the most profitable species could be envisaged. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food ought to carry out all the necessary calculations as regards the rate setting taking into account the modalities of functioning of the national fishing industry. Charges for foreign fishing must be established on the basis of international agreements, contracts on concession of quotas of catch of aquatic biodiversity within exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Russian Federation. The rate of fishing charges cannot effect the financial situation of the national fishing industry.