International Bering Sea Forum: Coming Together for a Global Treasure

July 15th, 2004

By Melinda Kramer

The Bering Sea is a main source of fish for much of the world, especially around the Pacific Rim. Over half of the fish eaten in the U.S., for example, comes from these icy waters between Alaska and Russia. Because of its importance, and because of concerns that have arisen from overfishing, climate change, and pollution, last year Pacific Environment spearheaded the formation of the International Bering Sea Forum. The Forum is a citizens' body made up of fisherfolk, indigenous people, scientists, and environmentalists from Bering Sea communities in Alaska and Russia. The Forum was established to enhance information sharing and international relations across political borders, and advocate for the protection of the Bering Sea ecosystem, sustainable livelihoods and culture in local communities.

A fishing boat in the waters of the Bering.

 

The first in-person meeting of the Forum was held in May 2004 outside of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russia. It was attended by Forum members and observers from Alaska and all of the Bering Sea coastal regions of Russia (Chukotka, Koryakia, and Kamchatka), as well as Vladivostok and Moscow. The group stopped for several meetings and tours in Vladivostok and on Kamchatka before holding a productive and exciting three-day working meeting in the village of Paratunka.

Throughout the meeting, participants highlighted the need to move toward ecosystem-based management in the Bering Sea in a cooperative manner, involving the United States and Russia as well as all the stakeholders of the region. Meeting participants discussed the need to work cooperatively with indigenous peoples, industry, science, and government in order to implement these joint initiatives.

The Forum heard presentations and discussions on key issues affecting sustainability of the Bering Sea on both the Russian and US sides. Special presentations focused on community development issues, environmental impacts of fishing gear, protected areas under threat, and offshore aquaculture.

The Forum also created five working groups that has begun work to develop cooperative, cross-border initiatives on an ongoing basis. These groups will focus on Indigenous Peoples, International Cooperation, Fisheries, Resource Extraction and Pollutants, and Protected Areas.

Forum members taking a tour of a Russian fishing vessel. Photo by Melinda Kramer.

 

Several groups developed lists of action items they plan to carry out. In particular, the indigenous working group developed the following action items:

1. Exchanging information regarding indigenous rights to resources. This information will be particularly helpful leading into discussions on a new proposed law on fisheries and conservation of marine biological resources in the Russian Federation.

2. Building support and developing capacity for coastal and inland indigenous, community-based fisheries, particularly in Russia.

3. Facilitating face-to-face exchanges among indigenous peoples across the Bering Sea to focus on traditional knowledge, community-based business development, cooperation with administrative and government structures, conservation activities, experience with local fisheries management, and co-management. The first such exchange is planned for Fall 2004.

4. Promoting international information exchange by linking existing information networks in Kamchatka, Koryakia, Chukotka, and Alaska.

5. Assisting with educational seminars for local communities, including an educational seminar in Koryak Autonomous Region focused on public participation in discussions on natural resource development.

Photo by Melinda Kramer.

 

The Fishing Gear/Policy group developed the following list of action items:

1. Exchange information regarding policy reform on fisheries issues. This will include information about the upcoming report from the Presidential Commission on Oceans Policy and the upcoming Russian discussions about a new law on fisheries and conservation of marine biological resources.

2. Work with the indigenous working group to promote coastal community-based fisheries with the goal of identifying a model program worthy of support.

3. Summarize current ecosystem-based components of Russian and U.S. legislation on oceans, particularly as they impact the Bering Sea.

4. Develop a statement regarding the use of driftnetting that targets salmon within the Russian Exclusive Economic Zone. The working group plans to release a statement on this issue in the next few months, calling for a reduction in net size within the Russian EEZ to 2.5 km.

5. Develop a network of fisheries observers in the Bering Sea, in order to strengthen an independent observers system in Russian waters.

In discussing the purpose of the working groups, Forum participants agreed that they would serve as ongoing, multiple-year efforts that would produce tangible results. Forum members also felt that in order for the working groups to be most successful, they should seek the participation and input from additional organizations and individuals.

The results of the meetings exceeded many of our expectations. Forum members expressed their confidence in the effectiveness of the International Bering Sea Forum over the long term, as it continues to strengthen an international exchange of information with the goal of promoting sustainability and ecosystem-based management throughout the Bering Sea. Equally as valuable were the relationships that were formed among the participants. We believe that these connections will provide the foundation from which years of cooperation and collaboration will build.