Global International Waters Assessment
Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional assessment 30

University of Kalmar on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme

May, 2006

Alekseev, A.V., Baklanov, P.J., Arzamastsev, I.S., Blinov, Yu.G., Fedorovskii, A.S., Kachur, A.N., Khrapchenkov, F.F., Medvedeva, I.A., Minakir, P.A., Titova, G.D., Vlasov, A.V., Voronov, B.A. and H. Ishitobi

1651-940X

72

Electronically (PDF), Hard copy (paperback)

This report presents the results of the GIWA assessment of the Sea of Okhotsk region. Rapid population growth and economic development have led to increasing pollution loads in the Amur River basin – the region’s largest drainage basin – placing increasing pressure on its diverse ecosystems. In the Sea of Okhotsk region, fishing fleets are unsustainably exploiting the Sea’s fisheries, and the extensive oil and gas development will significantly increase the risk of spills in the future. The report assesses the past and present status and future prospects of the region, and traces the transboundary issues back to their root causes. Policy options are proposed that aim to address these driving issues in order to enhance the environmental quality of the region and secure the future prosperity of its inhabitants.