Arctic Countries Should Research Beyond Economic Zones - Russian Official

The Arctic countries should actively research the Arctic Ocean beyond their exclusive economic zones before any fishing starts there, Chairman of Russia’s Coordinating Council of associations, organizations and enterprises of the fishing industry of the North Basin Vyacheslav Zilanov told Sputnik.

ANCHORAGE, (Sputnik) – Global climate change is causing previously off-limit areas of the Arctic Ocean to open to commerce, including oil and gas exploration, shipping and transportation, and fishing.

"All Arctic states should expand their research beyond their 200-nautical-mile zones. There should also be information sharing on the fish stocks, marine living resources and the monitored habitat within their zones. There should be broad exchange of opinions," Zilanov said.

Zilanov stressed that Russia was ready to help draft and then sign a document that would prevent unregulated fishing in the central Arctic Ocean.

In July, five Arctic nations – Russia, the United States, Norway, Canada, Denmark – signed a declaration aimed at preventing unregulated commercial fishing in the central Arctic Ocean. The countries also stated their intent to establish a joint program of scientific research to improve understanding of the region's ecosystems.

While the fishing is not currently occurring in that area, the declaration serves as a precautionary measure due to climate change and reduction of Arctic ice.

Zilanov raised the question of developing a draft agreement to prevent illegal fishing during his speech at an international Arctic conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Concerns were also voiced by the European community and China.

"There is a common understanding that we should move in this direction," Zilanov said.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Ambassador David Balton, announced at the conference on Monday that the United States would host international talks on restricting fishing in the Arctic in the first week of December.

Besides the five Arctic nations that have signed the Declaration to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean, the United States will invite the European Union, Iceland, China, Japan, and South Korea to participate in the conference.

The five Arctic coastal states, namely the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark, are currently limited to their exclusive economic zones of 200 nautical miles.