The Pollock Catchers Association includes 35 biggest Russian fishing companies

Russian Pollock Production Outpaces U.S., Maintaining Global Leadership

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Monday, January 20, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

By the end of 2024, Russia’s pollock production exceeded that of the United States by a significant 47%, reaching 1.998 million tons.

Looking ahead to 2025, Russian fishermen aim to retain their global leadership, with the country’s total allowable catch (TAC) set 56% higher than that of the U.S.—approximately 2.46 million tons compared to 1.58 million tons.

Record-Breaking Pollock Catch in 2024

In 2024, Russian fishermen set a new record for pollock harvests, solidifying its status as the nation’s primary fishery product. The Pollock Fishermen’s Association (PCA) reported a total catch of 1,998.3 thousand tons across all fishing areas in the Far Eastern Fishery Basin. This figure marks a 2% increase (or 38,000 tons) compared to the previous year, with pollock accounting for nearly 41% of Russia’s total national catch. Meanwhile, the United States, Russia’s main competitor in the global pollock market, reported a significantly lower catch of 1.35 million tons.

"The high stock levels in Russian waters have enabled consistent growth in catches," noted Alexey Buglak, President of the Pollock Catchers Association (PCA). "This success reflects a sound environmental policy implemented by Russian regulators and fishermen, responsible resource management, and fleet modernization efforts."

Buglak highlighted several key developments:

• In the Sea of Okhotsk, which contributes nearly half of Russia’s total pollock harvest, catches rose by 8% to 1,041 thousand tons.
• In the Kuril Islands, the catch increased by an impressive 21%, reaching 258 thousand tons.
• However, in the Bering Sea, the fishing effort struggled, achieving less than 70% of the TAC. The catch in this region totaled 486.2 thousand tons due to weak fishing conditions that persisted throughout the season.

Click on the image to enlarge

Buglak also pointed out that U.S. fishermen faced challenges in 2024, leaving part of their allocated quota unutilized. "In the Gulf of Alaska, for instance, the early closure of the fishing season resulted in 50,000–60,000 tons of unharvested pollock, representing over 30% of the area’s allocated quota," he explained.

Optimistic Projections for 2025

PCA estimates suggest that U.S. pollock production will again trail behind Russia in 2025. Russia’s TAC is set at 2.46 million tons—a 7% increase compared to 2024—while the U.S. TAC is projected at 1.58 million tons, up 5% from the previous year.

The main fishing season in Russia, centered around the Okhotsk pollock run, began on January 1, 2025, and is expected to yield strong results. "Oceanographers and weather forecasters predict favorable conditions for commercial aggregations, with ice and weather factors unlikely to hinder fishing operations during the winter-spring period," said Buglak.

Despite these positive projections, concerns linger regarding the Bering Sea. "Unfavorable conditions, including the predicted age structure of fish stocks and challenging migration patterns, may exacerbate the difficulties encountered last year," Buglak warned. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that Russia’s total pollock catch in 2025 would remain steady at 1.9–2 million tons.

Russia’s dominance in global pollock production reflects its robust fisheries management practices and growing capacity. While challenges persist in certain regions, the country’s continued investments in sustainable practices and fleet modernization suggest that it is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the years ahead.

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