Japan and Russia have agreed to keep the annual catch quota for Japanese fishermen in waters around the Russian-held Northern Territories for next year unchanged from this year at 2,180 tons, the Fisheries Agency said Wednesday.
A total of 48 Japanese fishing boats are allowed to fish walleye pollack, Okhotsk atka mackerel and octopus among other marine resources around the islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia, in return for a fishing cooperation fee and other compensation, it said.
The two sides reached the accord after three days of talks through Wednesday in Moscow.
With members of fisheries organizations also present at the talks, Japanese officials said some Russian vessels have damaged Japanese fishermen’s gear and affected their catches, while Russian officials said that the problem should be solved between fishermen in the two countries.
Japan signed a fisheries pact with Russia in 1998 to ensure the safety of Japanese fishing boats in waters around the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets, which are claimed by Japan.
2013 Kyodo News International