Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the priority in fishery management in Russia. It is clearly established in legal framework through robust policies enshrined in key fisheries law and regulations. The key federal law “On fisheries…” sets the priority of conservation of living aquatic resources and their rational use over the other principles and objectives of fishery management.

In addition to national legislation, Russia has ratified and committed itself to adherence to important international conventions including FAO's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

The main principle of the Alaska pollock stock assessment and TAC determination is a precautionary approach, which is to be applied implicitly in pollock fisheries management through long-term objectives, and TAC decision-making process. Pollock stock assessment is carried out under the precautionary management recommendations, and harvest control rules incorporates clearly precautionary elements. Additionally, the pollock fisheries have strong monitoring, control and surveillance process.

In 2013, Alaska pollock mid-water trawl fishery in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, which accounts for over 40% of the total catch of pollock in Russia, has successfully passed an independent international certification for compliance with MSC principles and criteria for sustainable fishing as a well managed and sustainable fishery.

Currently, PCA has launched fishery improvement project for the Navarinsky pollock fishery in the West Bering Sea area to prepare and, afterwards, bring the fishery to the certification towards MSC standard.