The department carries out the functions of restoration of resources of fishery important fish species inhabited in the Caspian Sea, rivers and inner water basins, and its increase, protection, as well as regulation of using of bioresources.
The work on artificial and natural reproduction of various species of fishery important fishes was began in our republic at the early of XX century and these works had scientific-research nature. But in the middle of century after cleaning of flow of Kura and Arza rivers (construction of hydro electric stations) the areas of spawning of valuable fish species of fishery importance remained at upper pools of dam and the opportunity for possible natural reproduction of these species of fish. And it caused the necessity of it reproduction on artificial way. In this connection since 1952 the construction of artificial fish reproduction stations was started in republic.
Presently 12 fish reproduction stations function under the department for reproduction of various species of fishery important young fishes.

4 of these enterprises (Shirvan Sturgeon Reproduction Plant, Sturgeon Reproduction Plant named after J.Javadov  in Kura mouth, Kura Experimental Sturgeon Reproduction Plant named after S.G.Kerimov, Sturgeon Reproduction Plant in Khilly) engaged in reproduction, growing and melioration of sturgeon fishes, 3 (Chaykend Gold Fish Reproduction Plant, Qabala Gold Fish Reproduction Plant named after D.Yusifov and Azerbaijan Experimental Marine Fish Reproduction Plant) of gold fishes, 5 stations (Tovuz Fish Reproduction Economy, Varvara Fish Reproduction and fish growing plant, Kichik Gızılagac Fish Reproduction economy, Yenikend Fish Reproduction and Melioration Economy and Devechi Fish Reproduction Station) of çəkikimi young fishes.

-sturgeon species-1,522 million pcs
-gold fish-146,115 thousand pcs
-çəkikimilər-432,08 million pcs
-(grass carp) fed with plants -5,7 million pcs 

Information about fish reproduction enterprises is attached in the form of table.
The first plant on artificial reproduction of sturgeon fish in the area of former Soviet Union was constructed and put into operation near Banka settlement of Neftchala region.
Biotechnology of artificial reproduction of sturgeon fish and biotechnical normatives were developed by scientists namely at this plant and later was applied in similar plants built in other Caspian littoral countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran).

The newest plant built in the Republic (Khilly sturgeon fish rearing plant) was built near the Khilly settlement of Neftchala region in 2003 on account of loan allocated by the World Bank within the program of urgent ecological projects. President of Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev took part at inauguration of the plant.

This plant was equipped with modern technological equipment in the field of artificial fish reproduction. This equipment allows generation of repair-producer reproductive herds of sturgeon fish at various growing conditions, growing them up to sexual maturity level and using as sire in future.
The main purpose of this process is reducing of pressure on current reserves of those fish in natural conditions and at the same time to provide sturgeon reproduction plants with required number of sire fishes for enabling those plants to work in full capacity. Using of sturgeon species of fish, grown in the plant since 2004, as sires, will be begun in 2013. The Service on protection of bioresources in water reservoirs, included in the structure of department carries out its activity through 4 regional sectors (Baku-Absheron, Sumgayıt-Khachmaz, Salyan-Astara, inner water basins). These sectors implement relevant measures against the illegal fishing and violation of fishing rules in Azerbaijani waters of the Caspian Sea and inner water basins of republic.

Department on increase and protection of biological resources in the water reservoirs within the 11 months of 2010 year found out 73 law violation and 59 persons were brought to responcibility.  9 cases were sent to district courts of republic, 21 cases as they had criminal nature were sent to law-enforcment bodies. 29 cases were reviewd by department in the form of administrative procedure.  Within 11 months of 2010 year 7 boats, 4 motors, 125 pieces meshes, 3300 pcs fishing tackles, 785 kg fish of different species were taken from law violators. The amount of claim which was implemented in relation with the damage caused to biological resources is equal to 49 191 AZN.

During 2010 year based on legislation on fishery of Azerbaijan Republic Department on increase and protection of biological resources in the water reservoirs issued legal permits for use of fish reserves to 26 legal and 49 natural persons. Within this period quotas for commercial fishing of 2 tones of sturgeon species, 2340 tones of sprat (kilka), 162.7 tones of shad (herring) and 552 tones of cyprinidae were allocated, for providing sturgeon fish rearing stations with producers permits for fishing of 10,4 tones and permits for scientific research purposes for fishing of 3,6 tones of of sturgeon species were given.
The Commission of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea was set up in 1992 by 4 Caspian littoral states (Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan). In 2002 Islamic Republic of Iran also joined the Commission.
The main purpose of the Commission is working out of special measures in the field of stable and effective using of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea, reproduction of fish resources and their protection.
Besides it the Commission provides study of condition of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea (quantity, species, distribution) through scientific–research expeditions and determines the total fishing quota on sea, as well as National fishing quota of 5 Caspian littoral states and at the same time defines amount of export quota of fish meat and caviar of sturgeons for submission to approval of Secretariat of CİTES Convention.
Republic of Azerbaijan had chaired the Commission of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea in  2001-2002. During this period 5 meetings of the Commission were held in Baku.

During 2003-2004 the chairmanship was at Russian Federation, in 2005-2006 at Republic of  Kazakhstan, in 2007-2008 at Republic of Turkmenistan, in 2009-2010 at Islamic Republic of Iran. During 2011-2012 the chairmanship of the Commission will be at Republic of Azerbaijan.

Information about of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and fish reproduction enterprises being at its subordination

information about actual release (in million pcs.) fish fries during 2001-2010 of the Department of reproduction and protection of aquatic bioresources of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and fish rearing enterprises being at its subordination