World Wildlife Fund

Sea otter close-up in Captive, Alaska.
© WWF-Canon / Kevin SCHAFER

Today, wildlife and humans alike are at risk from numerous factors that disrupt the region on both sides of the international boundary line.  WWF is working with both American and Russian scientists to develop and implement sound, long-term conservation strategies and supports cutting-edge research to guide and adapt management practices to allow for greater resiliency for species and ecosystems during periods of climate change. Collaborating with communities, scientists, educators, governments and industries, WWF works to reduce the impact of the numerous threats this region faces.

Fishing
The western Bering Sea suffers from high levels of illegal fishing and many areas are overfished. The increasing demand for salmon and salmon caviar, a delicacy in Russia and Japan, is reducing salmon populations beyond the point which they can naturally recover. Over the last two decades, the relatively well-protected Kamchatka fisheries have deteriorated along with the capacity of management agencies to enforce laws regulating harvest. Salmon habitat is also under increasing development pressure. The pristine rivers of the Kamchatka Peninsula - spawning grounds for salmon - and surrounding landscape are being cut by roads and infrastructure for mining and oil and gas expansion. 

A new WWF report, Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters , finds that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing remains a concern in the western Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk in the Russian Far East, The report lists specific recommendations for eliminating the scourge of illegal fishing, and ensuring the sustainability of fisheries, throughout the world. Read more.

Bycatch
The accidental catch of dolphins, turtles, birds and other marine wildlife in fishing gear is a continuing problem. Around the world, longline fishing kills hundreds of thousands of seabirds each year when they become entangled in driftnets and ensnared on longline hooks when they dive for bait.

Pacific walrus males at "haul-out" on Round Island Walrus Islands.
© WWF-Canon / Kevin SCHAFER

Pollution
Most pollutants found in the Bering Sea and Arctic region are transported from large rivers draining into the region and wind and ocean currents that bring pollutants from southern areas. Pollutants include marine debris that entangles wildlife and toxic contaminants than can remain in the environment for decades.

Non-native species
Rats are accidentally spread by ships to rat-free islands when off-loaded in cargo, released via shipwreck, or by jumping overboard and swimming to land. The spread of this nonnative species is one of the biggest threats to Bering Sea wildlife, especially seabirds. Rats prey upon vulnerable nesting adults, their chicks and eggs, possibly decimating their populations. Other harmful invasive species include plankton, crabs and mussels that hitch rides in the ballast tanks of large ships.                                                                        

Maritime traffic
The Bering Sea is located within the Great Circle Route, which is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. The Great Circle Route is traversed each year by over 7,000 cargo vessels and oil barges. These large ships navigate some of the world's roughest seas and richest marine ecosystems, often without adequate safety equipment and emergency planning.

Climate change
The Arctic is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Climate impacts in the Arctic will be more pronounced and immediate than any where else in the world. The most prominent changes will include increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. A slight shift in temperature could potentially result in an ice-free Arctic within this century. Ice-dependent species such as ringed seals and polar bears would likely be unable to adapt to an Arctic dominated by open water.