Outlook for Russian Far East fisheries in the second quarter of 2009

In the second quarter of 2009 the scientists forecast total catches in the Russian Far East Basin at about 500,000 tonnes or 14.4% of the annual TAC, reports www.fishnet-russia.com (www.fishnet.ru) with reference to the fishery sources in Vladivostok.

The increase versus the same period last year will amount to 22,600 tonnes mostly thanks to larger TAC of pollock and herring. Just like in the first quarter of the year, the biggest allowable catches of more than 200,000 tonnes or 41.5% of the Basin's expectations are forecasted in the Sea of Okhotsk. In the West Bering Sea zone the fishermen are allowed to harvest more than 80,000 tonnes or 16%, in the East Kamchatka subarea - 58,600 tonnes or 12%, in the North Kurile zone - 73,000 tonnes or 15% and in the waters of the South Kuriles - 40,500 tonnes or 10%.

Pollock will remain the dominating species with the harvest in the second quarter of 2009 expected at 192,000 tonnes. It will be followed by herring with 43,700 tonnes, the harvest of which will be based on the Okhotsk and Gizhigino-Kamchatsky stocks.

Flounder catches are recommended at more than 42,000 tonnes to be harvested mostly in Kamchatka waters.

Fairly good catches of Atka mackerel are expected in the southeast waters of Kamchatka and Primorye. The scientists recommend the fishermen to concentrate the main efforts in the waters of the North Kuriles where they can harvest up to 58% of the TAC. The Atka mackerel harvest can reach 33,000 tonnes.

As for cod, the scientists recommend to catch up to 10,000 tonnes.

In the waters of the North Kuriles the fleets are allowed to harvest ca.23,000 tonnes of squid with trawl gear.

More than 14,000 tonnes of crabs are recommended to be harvested in the second quarter of 2009, the bulk of the harvest will be dominated by snow crabs.