Programs
Kamchatka Scientist Disseminates ResultsNews & Program Updates
March - April, 2006
Last fall the Wild Salmon Center commissioned KamchatNIRO scientist Sergei Sinyakov to complete a report on the socioeconomic importance of salmon for the people of the Russian Far East and Kamchatka. The research and statistics contained in this report confirm that salmon fisheries provide the economic foundation for many Russian communities—accounting for fully 48% of all primary and secondary rural employment on Sakhalin, and 18% of primary employment on Kamchatka. Over the past few months we have been thrilled to learn about the far-reaching impact that Sinyakov's work is making beyond the Wild Salmon Center.
Sinyakov has presented his research to Kamchatka lawmakers, federal fisheries managers, and at the 6th Annual Scientific Conference "Conservation of Biodiversity of Kamchatka and Coastal Waters." Earlier this year he published much of the work he originally conducted for WSC in a book entitled Fisheries Industry and Salmon Harvest in Comparison with other sectors of the Economy in Regions of the Far East. Wild Salmon Center, Pacific Environment and the Kamchatka League of Independent Experts are funding publication and distribution of the book in Moscow, the Russian Far East, and Kamchatka.
In a sign of the attention that this book is receiving, in late February Sinyakov was invited to present its contents for public discussion at the Kamchatka Peoples' Deputies Council, the legislative body for the entire Kamchatka Region. Sinyakov's presentation included several proposals for effective protection of fisheries, particularly in light of recent plans for oil and gas development on the West Kamchatka Shelf. In the Council's draft decision, the response was favorable to many of these proposals, including placing a moratorium on oil and gas exploration on the West-Kamchatka Shelf until legal measures are adopted to preserve the health of fisheries.
Moreover, the People's Deputies Council is now considering addressing the Russian federal government with concerns about both the minimal socioeconomic benefit brought by oil and gas projects to local communities on Sakhalin, and insufficient consideration of these projects' short and long-term economic and ecological consequences.
We expect to receive more news regarding final decisions made by the People's Deputies Council soon. Meanwhile Sinyakov continues to expand upon the initial report that he completed for WSC, and will distribute a longer book in the coming months.