Overview of fisheries in Russia's Far East in January-July 2010

Catch increases were recorded for pollock (+268,000 tonnes), cod (+9200 tonnes), Atka mackerel (+7900 tonnes), halibuts (+2000 tonnes), sculpins (+5700 tonnes), ocean perch and skates. At the same time, there was a large catch fall by 6000 tonnes of grenadier despite the fishery of the species was arranged as dedicated operations. Smaller fishing efforts (in number) on the grounds of longfin codling Laemonema resulted into a decline of catches as compared to the same period of 2009 by 3700 tonnes. Extension of the pollock season in the North Okhotsk subarea in spring as well as difficult ice conditions on the Okhotsk herring grounds led to much smaller catches as compared to last year. A considerable catch fall was also observed for flounder (-12,000 tonnes).

Catches of non-finfish species as per 1 August 2010 exceeded last year indices by 3900 tonnes thanks to higher catches of such species as crabs (+1500 tonnes), squid (+4500 tonnes), shrimp, mussels, Sakhalin surf clam Spisula sachalinensis (+250 tonnes). At the same time, catches declined for such species as sea urchins, sea scallops, whelks, sea cucumber, octopus and laminaria. The catch decline of whelks was also due to ice conditions in the beginning of the year when the vessels had to stay idle at the ice edge waiting for more favourable conditions for setting traps.

As compared to the catch results for January-July 2010 by regions, Kamchatka was the leading province in terms of catch volumes. Catches of the province's fishermen exceeded the half-million level. The region's share in the Basin's harvest amounted to 35%. The second largest harvester was Vladivostok-based Primorye with the share of 32%. Catches of Sakhalin fishermen accounted for slightly more than 20%. Magadan and Khabarovsk fishermen contributed ca.11% to the Basin's catch and only 1.5% of the harvest were contributed by Chukotka fishermen.