MISHIN V.L, TITOV O.V., PLOTITSYNA N.F.
Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography

Development of oil and condensed gas fields on the shelf of Arctic seas, and in particular, on the shelf of the Barents Sea, is an important factor for fostering social and economic development in the Russian trans-polar regions.

This strategically important task can only be achieved if ecological security on the shelf is assured and marine biological resources are preserved, which unlike oil and gas are self-sustained and therefore invaluable.

According to the Federal laws "On continental shelf of the Russian Federation”, "On inland marine waters, territorial sea and adjacent waters of the Russian Federation", and "On Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation'4 the Federal Agency of the Russian Federation on Fisheries (FAR) shall accept drafts of licenses, applications and other licensing documents submitted by FAR regional bodies for consideration and coordination with regard to regional geological study, search, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, construction of subsurface cables and pipelines in inland marine waters, territorial sea, on continental shelf and in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation.

The agreement on cooperation between the Federal Agency of the Russian Federation on Fisheries and Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation in the field of fisheries monitoring activity under carbohydrate development in territorial sea and on the sea continental shelf adjacent to the coast of the Russian Federation remains valid as now. Support for fisheries monitoring at all implementation stages of oil and gas development in territorial sea, continental sea shelf, adjacent to the coast of the Russian Federation and Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation is the subject of cooperation for ecological security of fishing areas. Conservation of marine living resources when exploiting hydrocarbon resources on the sea shelf is crucial for the fisheries sector.

Intensive development of oil and gas fields on the sea shelf and inland waters is one of the most powerful factors adversely affecting aquatic environment and biological resources. More then two thirds of proved and exploited fields are located in areas of increased biological production and active fisheries, where major stocks of commercial species develop and reproduce.

Major target species in the directed Russian fishery in this area are trans-boundary fish species and shellfish, which are managed by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission: North-East Arctic cod, North-East Arctic haddock, capelin and northern shrimp. Within this group of aquatic organisms a potential target for the national fishery is red king crab. In addition, found in waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation is plaice, polar cod and Icelandic scallop, which are managed by Russia alone.

As assessed by PINRO a potential national catch of key commercial species in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters could in 2005-2015 be between 399 000 and 639 000 t provided that there will be no industrial developments on the shelf.

Scientific evidence from studies undertaken by PINRO suggests a steady low level of man-made pollution of the Barents Sea ecosystem. Therefore, of grave concern is a potential risk of increased anthropogenic pollution of the Barents Sea posed by oil and gas exploitation on its shelf.

For preventing or minimizing the adverse effects from operations of the oil and gas complex companies it is, in the first place, required to establish an effective monitoring of operations of the oil and gas complex with regard to all aspects related to ecological security.

It is imperative, that representatives of the fisheries sector were a part of the decision making process regarding issues of relevance to protection of biological resources and their habitat at all stages of development of oil and gas fields on the shelf from a proposal put forward by proponents of an activity to closing the operations of drill platforms and other installations after the field has been exhausted.

The issue of adequate compensation of the damage caused to aquatic biological resources is much more complex than compensation of losses of many other material values and requires appropriate approaches to handle it. Lost aquatic biological resources, particularly, of valuable commercial fishes, crab and other aquatic animals with long life cy