Russia's sardine fishing season started poorly, while Chinese fleets are already operating on the high seas

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Wednesday, July 08, 2026, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

Low water temperatures are hindering fish schools from entering Russia's Exclusive Economic Zone, delaying local operations compared to the rapid deployment of foreign vessels in international waters. A recent monitoring report released by the Pacific Branch of the Russian Federal Institute of Fisheries and Ocean Research (TINRO) shows that due to low sea temperatures, sardine schools are mostly remaining outside Russia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), resulting in slow progress for the Russian fleet's fishing this season. As of now, large-scale operations have not yet commenced in the waters near the Kuril Islands, while 60 to 80 fishing vessels, mainly Chinese, are already fishing in the waters surrounding the Russian Far East. Whether this year's Russian sardine fishing season can return to normal will depend on the rate of future sea temperature rise and whether fish... FULL STORY