The interest in the development of the resources of the Arctic region is one of the priorities of Russia's economic and geopolitical development. The development of industrial fishing in the Arctic is of particular importance for ensuring the food security of the region and supporting the indigenous peoples of the north.
VNIRO scientists took an active part in the round table "Big Fish: Nuances of the development of the fishing industry of the North and the Far East". Olga Maznikova, Head of the Department of Invertebrates of Inland Waters, together with Pavel Emelin, a leading specialist of the Marine Fish Department of the Far East, presented a report based on the results of integrated ecosystem studies of VNIRO on the vessels of NIS TINRO and NIS Professor Levanidov in the summer-autumn period from 2003 to 2020.
The data obtained as a result of the expedition work on the growth of pollock stocks (Gadus chalcogrammus), allowed us to estimate the size of its allowable catch and for the first time to give recommendations on the organization of specialized fishing in the Chukchi Sea, starting from 2021.
In addition to pollock, Pacific black halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides matsuurae) and cod (Gadus macrocephalus) are noted among the priority objects of domestic fishing in the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea, but they do not form commercial clusters. And it is premature to talk about the organization of fishing here.
Separately, it is necessary to note significant accumulations of saika (Boreogadus saida). To date, its reserves in the Chukchi Sea are at the level of 24, and in the Laptev Sea – can reach 170 thousand tons. At the same time, there is no industrial development of it, and the catch is limited to carrying out scientific research.
The limiting factor in the development of fishing in the eastern sector of the Arctic was undoubtedly extreme natural conditions. Currently, against the background of climate warming, the situation is changing dramatically. In particular, during ecosystem surveys, borealization of the ichthyofauna of the Arctic region was noted, which in the eastern sector of the Arctic can be traced by an increase, for example, in the pollock stock.
It is expected that against the background of the ongoing climate shift, the resource potential of cod fish will increase, which will make full-scale commercial fishing possible. In such conditions, the key issues of the formation of the Arctic block in the fisheries cluster of the economy will be the organization of regular studies of aquatic biological resources and their habitat, as well as the creation of a number of fishing ports with modern infrastructure along the Northern Sea Route.
VNIRO Press Service
