Strategic directions for the sustainable development of the Astrakhan region’s fisheries sector in the context of digitalization

The strategic role of the fisheries sector (FS) in ensuring the country’s food security has been noted, and the need to overcome the structural constraints hindering the sector’s development has been identified: the obsolescence of the fishing fleet, infrastructure deficits, the territorial fragmentation of the FS entities, and dependence on natural and climatic factors. Based on the analysis of industry data from Rosrybolovstvo, a set of specific problems of the Astrakhan region FS (investment, environmental, economic, structural, infrastructural and socio-cultural) has been identified, the solution of which is proposed to be implemented within the framework of four strategic directions: diversification of the raw material base, expansion of deep processing and assortment of fish products, optimization of logistics processes, formation of consumer demand. demand. As the main tool for the implementation of strategic directions for the sustainable development of the regional agricultural complex, the creation of a logistics center based on a single digital platform is defined, ensuring the digital universalization of interaction between subjects. To substantiate recommendations for the digitalization of the regional FS, a case study was conducted of implemented projects in the Republic of Karelia, the Yamalo Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and the Kaliningrad region. The study showed that, in addition to the expected economic effect, digitalization unintentionally performed a number of hidden functions: it fa-cilitated adaptation to the shortage of imported feed after the imposition of sanctions in 2022, enabled the implementation of energy saving practices, stimulated staff mobility, and contributed to building the reputational capital of enterprises. Based on the identified patterns, a conceptual model has been developed for transferring digital solutions from the Northwestern region to the Astrakhan region, taking into account regional specifics. It has been established that a mechanical transfer of practices from the Northwest is ineffective without considering the transboundary nature of the river system and the characteristics of sturgeon species. A reorientation of the functional purpose of the digital platform is proposed – from a tool for calculating feed rations to a system for early warning of environmental and economic losses, integrated with the infrastructure of state monitoring of aquatic biological resources and reclamation measures.