Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is experiencing an extraordinary salmon run, shattering initial scientific forecasts and prompting authorities to dramatically increase fishing quotas. The total catch of Pacific salmon has already soared past 250,000 metric tons, significantly outstripping the original projection of 199,200 tons and signaling a major boon for one of the world’s key seafood-producing regions.
The announcement was made by Andrey Zdetovetsky, the regional Minister of Fisheries, in a briefing ahead of a session on seafood logistics at the Eastern Economic Forum. This fishing bonanza is primarily driven by a massive, unexpected return of pink salmon. On the peninsula’s east coast, the catch exceeded 82,000 tons against a forecast of 72,600, while the west coast saw an even more dramatic result, with fishermen hauling in over 101,000 tons instead of the expected 71,000.
While the overall picture is one of abundance, the success has not been uniform across all fishing grounds, with some northern areas reporting lower-than-expected yields. However, in a crucial sign for the long-term health of the stock, scientists have positively assessed the number of salmon that have successfully bypassed fishing fleets to reach their spawning grounds. This high level of escapement is vital for ensuring the reproduction and future sustainability of the valuable salmon population.