Russian fishermen are rapidly approaching a major seasonal milestone, with the national catch nearing the one-million-ton mark only weeks into the year. According to the Federal Agency for Fisheries, the total Russian harvest of aquatic bioresources since January 1 has reached over 985,000 tons.

The Far Eastern basin remains the dominant contributor, accounting for 844,300 tons, or the vast majority of the country’s production. However, while overall volumes are strong, several key pollock grounds—especially in the Sea of Okhotsk—are trailing behind last year’s figures.

Far Eastern Basin

The Far Eastern fishing fleet has harvested approximately 844,300 tons of aquatic biological resources so far this year. Key species include 619,700 tons of pollock, 29,300 tons of cod (an increase of 500 tons compared with 2025), and 144,700 tons of Pacific herring, which is 4,300 tons higher than the same period last year.

Pollock Fishery in the Sea of Okhotsk

As of March 10, the pollock fishery in the Sea of Okhotsk produced 401,300 tons, equivalent to 34.1% of the total allowable catch (TAC). At the same point in 2025, catches were significantly higher at 512,400 tons, or 44.4% of TAC.

During the past week, 68–77 fishing vessels were active in the fishery, including 49–56 large-tonnage vessels and 18–24 medium-tonnage vessels.

Kamchatka Subzones

Fishing operations across the Kamchatka shelf remain intense, particularly in the Kamchatka-Kuril and West Kamchatka subzones.

In the Kamchatka-Kuril subzone, mainly in southern waters, 15–25 large-capacity vessels and 1–8 medium-capacity vessels operated during the week. Average catches reached 176.3 tons per vessel-day for large vessels and 111.4 tons for medium vessels. Since the beginning of the season, the fleet has harvested 227,200 tons, representing 80.2% of TAC. At the same time in 2025, the catch stood slightly lower at 221,300 tons (78.6%).

In the West Kamchatka subzone, part of the fleet concentrated near the mouth of Shelikhov Bay. Fishing involved 19–26 large-capacity vessels and 9–17 medium-capacity vessels, achieving catch rates of 126.3 tons and 57.4 tons per vessel-day, respectively. The cumulative catch reached 64,500 tons (17.7% of TAC). This remains well below the 140,300 tons (38.8%) recorded during the same period last year.

Combined catches from the Kamchatka subzones totaled 291,700 tons, representing 45% of TAC. In contrast, by the same date in 2025, the fleet had already landed 361,600 tons (56.2%).

Photo: Stockfile / FIS

Northern Sea of Okhotsk Subzone

Fishing in the Northern Sea of Okhotsk subzone took place northwest of the designated fishing polygon. The fleet included 10–15 large-capacity vessels and 1–3 medium-capacity vessels, with catch rates averaging 180.7 tons and 39 tons per vessel-day, respectively.

By March 9, the cumulative pollock catch in the area reached 106,100 tons (29.1%), compared with 131,700 tons (36.4%) at the same point in 2025.

East Sakhalin Subzone

The fleet remained inactive in the East Sakhalin subzone, leaving the cumulative catch at only 3,400 tons (2.1%). This is far below last year’s 19,100 tons (12.7%) recorded by the same date.

Herring Fishery in Northern Okhotsk

The Pacific herring fishery in the Northern Sea of Okhotsk subzone targeted mixed aggregations of pollock and herring northwest of the fishing polygon. Three large-capacity vessels focused directly on herring, achieving an average catch rate of 226.4 tons per vessel-day.

Additional vessels targeting pollock recorded incidental herring catches averaging 3.2 tons per vessel-day. As of March 9, total herring landings reached 134,700 tons (35% of TAC), slightly above the 133,300 tons caught last year, though the 2025 harvest represented a higher share of TAC at 43%.

Northern Basin

The Northern basin reported total catches of 60,900 tons of aquatic bioresources. The main species were cod, with 34,200 tons, and haddock, with 14,600 tons.

Overall, the basin’s harvest exceeded last year’s figures for the same period by 5,400 tons, indicating stronger fishing activity in the Barents and northern waters.

Western Basin

Enterprises operating in the Western basin harvested 17,200 tons in total. The majority of the catch consisted of sprat (kilka), totaling 13,800 tons, an increase of 1,400 tons compared with 2025.

The fishery for Baltic herring (salaka) produced 3,200 tons, showing a significant rise of 2,100 tons year-on-year.

Azov–Black Sea Basin

Fishing enterprises in the Azov–Black Sea basin reported a catch of approximately 7,700 tons, dominated by anchovy, which accounted for 7,100 tons of the total harvest.

Volga–Caspian Basin

In the Volga–Caspian basin, fishermen landed 8,800 tons of aquatic resources. The catch was largely composed of sprat, which contributed 7,900 tons.

Russian Fleet in International Waters

Beyond domestic fishing zones, the Russian fleet also operated in the exclusive economic zones of foreign states, conventional fishing areas, and the open waters of the World Ocean. These operations produced an additional 45,500 tons of aquatic bioresources.