A moratorium on commercial fishing in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul lakes is set to expire this year, but scientists are advocating for its extension. Shailgul Asylbaeva, head of the Ichthyology and Hydrobiology Laboratory at the Institute of Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced the recommendation. The scientists believe a continued ban is necessary to protect fish populations and maintain the ecological health of the lakes. No specific data or reasoning behind the recommendation was provided in the initial report. The future of the fishing industry in the region hinges on the government’s decision regarding the moratorium. Further details on the scientific findings supporting the extension are expected to be released.