Current state of reserves and harvesting of aquatic biological resources in the Russian waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas and recommendations for their rational use

The purpose of the work: to assess the current state of reserves and fishery of aquatic biological resources in the Russian waters of the Bering and Chukchi seas and to develop recommendations to ensure their rational use. Methods used: to achieve this goal, data on commercial biomass, catch and development of marine fish and invertebrates for the period from 1997 to 2022 were analyzed. Recommendations for increasing the efficiency of using the raw material base of aquatic organisms are formed on the basis of our own and other studies, as well as an analysis of existing fisheries and measures to regulate them. Novelty: elements are modern materials on biomass, catch and development of marine fish and invertebrate resources in the Bering and Chukchi seas within the areas of Russian jurisdiction. Commercial stocks of aquatic biological resources in the western part of the Bering Sea averaged 5087 thousand tons, of which 4933 thousand tons (97%) were fish. In the Chukchi Sea, the biomass of hydrobionts is 26 times less than in the Bering Sea: on average 197 thousand tons (189 thousand tons of fish). In the Bering Sea, fishing has been carried out for more than 100 years and at the present stage is based on 14 species or groups of fish species and 10 invertebrate objects. In the Chukchi Sea, fishing, the basis of which is exclusively walleye pollock, is carried out only in 2021-2024. Practical significance: the results of the study can be used in forecasting the dynamics of aquatic biological resources and conducting their fishery. The priority directions for increasing the efficiency of using the raw material base of aquatic organisms are also highlighted: clarification of reserves, increasing the efficiency of existing fisheries, improving the regulatory framework for fishing. Within the framework of these areas, specific measures are recommended to maintain catches of fish and invertebrates at the highest possible level for a long period of time during the exploitation of their stocks without the risk of causing irreparable damage to them.