Pre-assessment made available

Project participants confirmed

Workplan has been updated 2021-2026

Workplan made public

Researchers continue to collect escapement data on pink salmon. Based on low available escapement data, the pink salmon fishery fishing season ended in Kunashir on August 23, region-wide on August 31, with chum salmon entering an active phase.

The FIP is actively implementing the rebuilding plan; research on chum salmon is ongoing and the 2024 season will focus on limiting fishing pressure.

In 2023 the Lagunnoye Lake Salmon Hatchery released 19,800.4 chum salmon juveniles with an average weight of 0.952g from May- June. Additionally, the hatchery released 3.4 million tagged juveniles during the same period, with an average juvenile weight of 1.000g. 

A 2023 research report on the state of the Sakhalin taimen stock in Kunashir has been made available; the report concluded that Sakhalin taimen were found in commercial seines in coastal areas in single quantities. The report noted that in other months taimen migratory activity is weak and during the salmon fishing season taimen have not been observed in seines.

The Far Eastern Scientific & Fishery Council (DVNPS) held a meeting to address and approve strategies for various regions, including the Sakhalin region, focusing on defining catch sites, volumes, and timing for Pink Salmon and Chum Salmon fishing. 

Tthe first of a series of meetings to discuss regional strategies for fishing for Pacific salmon in the Far East was held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in early 2023. The main provisions that are proposed to be included in the fishing strategy in 2023 were discussed at this meeting. 

The FIP has collected information necessary to supplement the rebuilding plan and compiled the information into a report. The report also reviews regional escapement goal targets and current environmental data. The drafting of the rebuilding plan remains ongoing. 

PCFYKRK operates two hatcheries in its fishing area in Kunashir, with regular reviews of allowable fry release volumes; the total release of chum salmon juveniles as of Fall 2023 reached approximately 42.2 million fry.

Research surveys have been conducted through the 2022 season to assess stock status, inform sustainable escapement targets, and determine what factors management could adjust to help rebuild salmon stocks. 

The FIP visited and met with officials at the office of the Kurilsky Nature Reserve; local biologists report that Taimen are occasionally encountered by fishermen in Serebryanoe Lake but are always released alive. 

Meeting held with SKTU officials to discuss ongoing enforcement activities being carried out to prevent illegal fishing. 

FIP visited the Lagunnoye Lake Salmon hatchery and met with the chief breeder. There have been 12.5 million juvenile chum salmon released from the hatchery as of October 2022.

Site visit and meeting conducted with SakhNIRO; spawning grounds and escapement were among the main topics discussed. 

The Far Eastern Scientific & Fishery Council meeting was held in April 2022, attended by VNIRO representatives. The group discussed proposals for regional strategies.

Workplan activites underway; contract signed with SakhNIRO affiliated researcher to begin work on stock status

Current 2022 fishery strategy made available; sustainable maximum possible catch is the main goal

Kunashir salmon fishery bycatch assessment made available

Study of Pacific Salmon in the Far East Bulletin report published providing an analysis of the 2021 fishing season.

 A Letter of Intent was sent by Yuzhno-Kurilsky Ryibokombinat Co., Ltd to ForSeas Solutions describing the plan to increase the number of marked juveniles, and to sample fishery catches, hatchery returns and escapement streams to estimate hatchery contributions in the future.

The FIP continues to collect information to support an assessment of protected species.

Sakhalin fishery survey of Kunashir watersheds report made available

Order of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture No. 285 regulates the operation of the salmon fisheries in the Sakhalin Region and includes requirements for in-season catch monitoring and reporting, restrictions on gear and mesh size and the prohibition of fishing in certain areas and in relation to certain species.