FishSource

Russian Far East Crab (FIP)

Last Updated: 2021-02-01

Progress Rating: E

Evaluation Start Date: 2012-06-01

Type: Basic

Status: Active

FIP Lead: RFE Crab Catchers Association (RFE CCA)

Stock Profile Link
Blue king crab - W Bering Sea
Tanner crab - Karaginsky
Tanner crab - Petropavlovsk-Komandor
Blue king crab - Western Kamchatka
Red king crab - Kamchatka-Kurils
Tanner crab - Kamchatka-Kurils
Tanner crab - W Bering Sea
Red king crab - Western Kamchatka

Comments:

The FIP's last stage 4 result is now between 24-36 months old with no stage 3 results reported within the past 6 months. The FIP rating drops to E.

1. FIP Development	Dec 15	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 December 2015 — Sustainability information of the fisheries is available in correspondent Fishsource profiles 8 October 2014 — MSC pre-assessment report for specific units: Red king crab - West Kamchatka Red King crab - Kamchatka Curlis Blue King Crab - West Kamchatka Tanner crab - Petropavlovsk-Komandor 1 March 2011 — Fish source profile published
2. FIP Launch	Mar 12	Confirmation of project participants 27 March 2012 — Confirmation of FIP participants with MoU
2. FIP Launch	Nov 20	Workplan made public 19 November 2020 — Updated 2020 workplan 1 April 2014 — Workplan 2014-2015 is available with work description and milestones 1 June 2012 — An internal workplan 2012-2013 was developed and completed
3. FIP Implementation	Jun 20	FIP activities undertaken 4 June 2020 — WWF report (2019) on traceability of IUU fishing in Russian king crab fisheries was published highlighting MCS actions taken by authorities to address the issue. 19 April 2020 — Announcement of public hearings in Vladivostok; discussions will pertain to total allowable catch 1 April 2020 — Research vessel VNIRO 'Zodiac' left the port of Vladivostok to conduct comprehensive research in the Sea of Japan and the Tatar Strait. 1 February 2020 — Program on electronic exchange of catch data expanded regionally and into Norway 26 December 2019 — Meeting held between the representatives of the Primorsky border department and VNIRO; results of cooperation between border guards and science in 2019 were summed up 9 December 2019 — In May 2019 addendums to the Federal law 'on fisheries' were accepted. The new regulations state that 50% of crab quota limits are now allocated among the companies through auction system. 1 December 2019 — In 2019, enforcement activities reported at the same level – 2642 at-sea inspections conducted; the Coast Guard detected 2 cases of non-compliance by the Russian flagged vessels. No convenient flag vessel was identified 1 January 2018 — Preparations of materials for full certification underway 1 January 2018 — Prepartation with the regulatory body, well-document and validated information on IUU fishing 1 January 2018 — Review of crab mortaliies in targets fishery and by catch underway 1 December 2017 — identification of sources of IUU (small amount left) continued 1 July 2017 — FIP plans to contract VRINO to work on Principle 2 issues 1 June 2017 — CCA continues to work with government on additional measures to address IUU fishing - make compulsory that fisheries logbook format included recording of a number of the fisheries license (permit) issue to the vessel 30 November 2016 — MSC Pre-assessment completed for specific units under FIP 1 February 2016 — CCA initiated pre-certification assessment of fisheries for red king crab, blue king crab, and tanner snow crab in West Kamchatka and Kamchatka-Kurils subzones. 1 August 2014 — Suppliers are engaging regulators
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Dec 20	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 8 December 2020 — Russia ratified the Port State Measures Agreement and transposed it into Federal Law 1 July 2020 — On July 1, 2020, Russia implemented the Digital Catch Journal (DCJ) to ensure state oversight of the national catch 1 January 2018 — Systematic collection and analysis of fisheries impact data undertaken based on the data collected by the observers on CCA vessels 1 June 2017 — Additional measure to improve reporting and deter falsification of catch reports approved by the Fisheries Agency – fisheries logbook format included recording of a number of the fisheries license (permit) issue to the vessel made compulsory by the FIsheries Agency 31 March 2016 — Standard regulation rules for crab and craboid harvesting for 2016-18 developed 10 March 2016 — New rules adopted for governing fishing of crabs 1 March 2016 — Annual TAC Recommendations/public hearings - Fisheries Agency conducted open discussions of the scientific recommendations for the TAC for 2017. 1 October 2015 — Collection of data on board CCA vessels 11 September 2015 — NPOA-IUU sighed with Korea, Japan, China, USA and VNIRO 1 January 2015 — Demarcation of fishing areas for queen and tanner snow crabs in the West Bering Sea zone and Karaginsky subzone was introduced in order to protect their stocks from overfishing. 31 December 2014 — West Bering Sea snow crabs fishery closed area 1 December 2014 — Bilateral North Pacific IUU agreements implemented (South Korea, Japan, China) 1 October 2014 — Levels of IUU crab catches and trade reduced (WWF report) 1 January 2014 — Minimum crab catch per vessel 1 January 2014 — Russia adopted NPOA IUU. Article 2 of the Plan formally accepts the definition of IUU activities as defined in the FAO International Plan of Actions to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing. Article 3 of the Plan lists 17 principal measures 1 February 2013 — Prohibition of crab traps for fish harvest 1 July 2012 — Levels of IUU crab catches and trade reduced (GAIN report)
5. Improvements on the Water	Jan 17	Verifiable improvement on the water 1 January 2017 — Current levels of RFE IUU crab fusing and trade have been significantly reduced in recent years, mainly due to implementation of bilateral agreements with South Korea, Japan and China 1 March 2016 — Improved crab stock status (March 2016)
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public