Voice from the Wild (A letter from the editors)

n this special issue of Russian Conservation News, we continue our cover- Iage of Russia’s unique protected areas system by focusing specifically on those reserves that protect the country’s many and varied marine environ- ments. Why a marine focus? These marine areas are a vital part of Russia’s natural and cultural heritage. They are also crucial to the country’s future EDITORIAL BOARD economic development and as such, are under intense exploitation. In fact, Russia’s vast territorial waters comprise approximately twenty percent of the Executive Editor: Margaret Williams Assistant Editor: Melissa Mooza World Ocean. For Russia, and indeed, for the entire world, they are a treas- Managing Editor: Natalya Troitskaya ure and a resource to be preserved. Graphics Artist: Maksim Dubinin Design and Layout: Design Group A4 In the journal’s introductory section, we offer a series of articles that provide Computer Consultation: Natalie Volkova a fundamental understanding of marine protected areas (MPA’s) and their Intern: Dominic Johnson Translation: Melissa Mooza role in the conservation and management of coastal and marine environ- Subscriptions Manager: John Deever ments. After first placing them for you in the broader global context, we Contributing Authors: A. Astafyev, A. then refine the focus of our examination, and turn our attention to Russia. Koryakin, V. Chuprov, I. Chuprova, U. We trace the historic development of Russia’s marine protected areas, from Graebener, S. Khokhryakov, G. 1978, when Russia’s first marine reserve, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Magomedov, V. Mokievsky, N. Pavlov, and V. Spiridonov Zapovednik, was established, through to the present. We then examine the benefits these reserves provide, and scrutinize the factors impeding their Contributing Artists and Photographers: R. Chemyakin, effectiveness. We give special consideration to the value of zoning in marine V. Chernyshov, V. Elpatyevskaya, conservation, and offer an article on Russia’s marine biosphere reserves, as E. Grigoriev, V. Gritsyuk, V. Harin, well as an account of a recent workshop on MPA zoning and management. V. Kantor, S. Khokhryakov, G. Magomedov, G. Mazmaniants, V. Nikiforov, To gain a sense for the diverse marine systems represented in Russia’s coastal A. Omelyanenko, N.Ovsyanikov, S. Pasenyuk, N. Pavlov, A. Ratnikov, and marine protected areas, you will journey with us to nine zapovedniks I. Shpilenok, S. Sobolyev, V. Spiridonov, and national parks, and as many seas. In the Sea of Japan, we will join G. Teplyakov, and M. Troitskaya, P. Tsarkov, inspectors from Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik as they struggle to secure their T. I. Van Pelt, S. Voronkov and L. Williams. reserve’s marine zone from incursions by rapacious poachers. We will travel Acknowledgement: Maps of Russia’s pro- tected areas that are featured in this issue to the White and Barents Seas, where Kandalakshsky Zapovednik continues were prepared using the Protected Areas GIS its long commitment to protect the region’s seabirds from various threats, database of the Biodiversity Conservation including contamination by oil. Along the shores of the icy Kara Sea, in the Center/International Socio-Ecological long shadow cast by the Norilsk industrial complex, we’ll observe the fine Union. For more information, please con- sult: work of Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik to monitor pollution. http://oopt. info/gis/database-eng.html Among our other travels, we’ll also venture to Kurshskaya Kosa National Park along the Baltic Sea, and Lazovsky Zapovednik on the shores of the Sea of Japan; accounts of the challenges facing these reserves, which include ON THE COVER coastal territories, but not the marine waters washing them, demonstrate the importance for biodiversity and habitat conservation of placing marine zones under protection. The journal’s final pages present plans for the future development of Russia’s marine protected areas, including an intro- duction to new reserves proposed for creation by 2010.

Each of the reserves examined in this issue of Russian Conservation News is, of course, unique in the ecosystems, species, and communities it protects. At the same time, our examination revealed that they also have much in com- mon with one another, specifically in the manifold challenges they face. Without adequate funding, specialized equipment, or requisite staffing, many of Russia’s marine protected areas are unable to effectively protect and conduct scientific research in their marine zones. We at RCN are hopeful that in the future Russia’s marine protected areas will receive increased support and recognition, both from within Russia and from the international conser- vation community. RCN’s special issue comprises the first time such an overview has been published on Russia’s marine protected areas and we are Cover drawing by Sergei Pasenyuk. For happy for this opportunity to better acquaint you with them. more information about the artist, please see page 27.

Summer 2004, No. 36 1 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

MPAs: An Important Tool in Marine Conservation

By Vassily Spiridonov and Vadim Mokievsky

A note from the editors: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles appearing in this first section of Russian Conservation News have been written by Vassily Spiridonov and Vadim Mokievsky. We thank them for their significant contribution to this special issue of RCN.

ociety’s impact on the seas and approach and system of measures for Soceans has never been as pro- managing marine ecosystems. A cor- Marine Protected found as it is now. Pollution, debris, nerstone of this approach is the cre- Area Defined and unsustainable fishing practices, ation of marine protected areas The World Conservation Union among other factors, are contribut- (MPAs). (IUCN) has defined a marine pro- ing to significant changes in marine tected area (MPA) as “any area of biodiversity, and with much of For many years, the “wholeness” of intertidal or subtidal terrain, world’s rapidly growing human pop- the world’s marine ecosystems, and together with its overlying water ulation living in coastal zones, there the “openness” of the ecological and associated flora, fauna, histor- is serious concern for the fate of processes taking place within them ical and cultural features, which marine flora and fauna, as well as for caused people to question the effec- has been reserved by law or other the long term sustainability of the sea tiveness of protecting individual effective means to protect part or as a source of food, mineral marine territories. However, over the all of the enclosed environment.” resources, biomedical products, and years, it has become apparent that recreational and other social-cultural threats to our world’s oceans are not Source: Guidelines for Marine opportunities. just occurring on the global scale; Protected Areas, edited by Graeme individual regions are increasingly Kelleher. Best Practice Protected To protect threatened marine envi- affected by local problems, as well. Area Guidelines Series No.3. IUCN, ronments and biodiversity, conserva- 1999 tionists have called for the develop- Marine protected areas have an important role to play in addressing ment of an integrated global many of these threats. Their protec- tive regimes prohibit many activities highly destructive to the natural environment, such as construction and development in coastal zones and shipping channel excavation. They also protect against excessive and uncontrolled visitation by tourists; this is especially important in the tropics, where visitors are dis- assembling coral reefs and gathering up rare mollusk species so that they might have interesting souvenirs to take home. Marine protected areas also play a very important role in reg- ulating fisheries and aquaculture by ensuring the reproduction of com- mercial species within their waters, and by excluding fishing from their borders. These localized approaches are much more effective than trying Photo by E. Grigoriev. to combat illegal harvest in the open

2 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

A Summary of the Benefits of Marine Protected Areas • Conservation of biodiversity, especially critical habitats of threatened species; • Protection of attractive habitats and species on which sustainable tourism can be based; • Increased productivity of fisheries; • Contributions to increased knowledge of marine science; • A refuge for intensely exploited species; • Protection of genetic diversity of heavily exploited populations; and • Protection of cultural diversity. Source: Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas, edited by Graeme Kelleher. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No.3. IUCN, 1999. sea. moderate latitudes, there are fewer Marine protected areas can help control marine protected areas, but as a gen- the transformation of our coastal zones. Worldwide, there are now more than eral rule, they are larger than those in Photo by V. Nikiforov. © WWF-Russia. 3,000 marine protected areas. other regions. Most marine protected Among the first marine areas to areas are located in coastal zones; Convention for the Protection of the receive protected status were coral sometimes they include terrestrial Marine Environment of the North- reefs and the coasts of tropical territories, and in other cases, they East Atlantic stipulate the creation of islands, where traditional or com- extend only as far as the high tide regional networks of coastal-marine mercial fishing had come into con- mark. protected areas. The development of flict with the development of marine protected area networks has tourism, an industry no less prof- Global interest in creating marine also been addressed at a number of itable for many island and coastal reserves has increased markedly in major international events. At the nations. Noticeable decreases in fish the last fifteen years. The importance 2002 World Summit on Sustainable catch volumes also served as an of developing broader networks of Development in Johannesburg, for important stimulus to protect coastal marine protected areas has been instance, delegates emphasized the zones and introduce restricted zones incorporated into a number of multi- need to maintain the productivity in areas of intense fishing. lateral agreements. For example, and biodiversity of important marine both the Helsinki Convention on the and coastal areas, and set a target date of 2012 for the establishment of The majority of the world’s reserves Protection of the Marine a representative marine protected are still concentrated in tropical Environment of the Baltic Sea Area areas network based on scientific regions, primarily on coral reefs. In and the OSPAR (Oslo-Paris) information and consistent with international law.

Conservationists in many nations, including Russia, as you will see from the pages of this journal, are hard at work, hoping to realize this ambi- tious goal, so important for conserv- ing the world’s oceans and marine environments.

Vassily Spiridonov is the Coordinator of Marine Programs for the Russia Programme Office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Vadim Mokievsky is a Senior Scientist at the P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow.

By ensuring reproduction of commercial species within their waters, marine protected areas regulate stocks and support fisheries and aquaculture. Photo by E. Grigoriev.

Summer 2004, No. 36 3 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

Tides of Change: Tracing the Development of Marine Protected Areas in Russia

ntil the 1970s, Russia’s extensive Japan, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovedniks, were created that Usystem of federal strict nature Zapovednik was Russia’s first protect- include marine waters in their core reserves did not include a single spe- ed area created to preserve marine area or buffer zones. cialized marine protected area, and ecosystems and to support marine marine coasts and zones fell largely biological research. Currently, thirteen of Russia’s 100 beyond the scope of protected area zapovedniks, or strictly protected planning. Simply, the country’s After the establishment of nature reserves, include protected reserve system was overwhelmingly Dalnevostochny Morskoi marine zones in their territory: oriented toward the conservation of Zapovednik, protected area special- Astrakhansky, Bolshoi Arktichesky, terrestrial ecosystems. ists began to view marine coastal Dagestansky, Dalnevostochny ecosystems with greater interest. Morskoi, Dzhugdzhursky, True, a number of reserves estab- Scientists proposed creating a net- Kandalakshsky, Komandorsky, lished in the first half of the twentieth work of specialized marine reserves Koryaksky, Kronotsky, Nenetsky, century, including Kandalakshsky to protect marine mammals, and Sikhote-Alinsky, Taimyrsky, and Zapovednik, on the shores of the more generally, advocated expanding Wrangel Island Zapovedniks. A num- White and Barents Seas, and the existing system of zapovedniks to ber of zakazniks, or special purpose Astrakhansky Zapovednik on the include marine and coastal zones. In reserves, also protect marine waters; shores of the Caspian, did incorpo- the early 1980’s, a project was begun these include: Agrakhansky, Zemlya rate marine waters in their territories. to develop a network of protected Frantsa Iosifa (Franz Josef Land), However, as these protected areas marine zones in the Russian Far East. Maliye Kurily, and Nenetsky were created largely for the conserva- It was realized only partially with the Zakazniks. tion of sea birds and waterfowl, the addition of marine zones to two borders of their marine zones were existing reserves, Kronotsky and In addition, eleven zapovedniks determined primarily with considera- Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovedniks, and (Astrakhansky, Dagestansky, tion for the distribution of bird with the creation of federal zakazniks Dalnevostochny Morskoi, Gydansky, colonies and wintering habitats, in the Sea of Japan and off the Kuril Komandorsky, Kurilsky, Magadansky, rather than for characteristics of the Islands. Nenetsky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Ust- greater marine ecosystem. Lensky, and Wrangel Island Through the 1980’s and 1990’s, the Zapovedniks) have offshore buffer It was in 1978 that Russia’s first true number of marine protected areas zones, while two zapovedniks marine protected area, Dalnevos- continued to grow, as did the protect- (Lazovsky and Poronaisky tochny Morskoi Zapovednik, in ed areas system as a whole. Not only Zapovedniks), two national parks English, literally meaning, Far Eastern were maritime areas added to a num- (Sochinsky and Kurshskaya Kosa), Marine Reserve, was established. ber of existing reserves, but several and six zakazniks (Nizhne-Obsky, Located not far from Vladivostok, in new reserves, such as Nenetsky, Priazovsky, Samursky, Peter the Great Bay, in the Sea of Bolshoi Artktichesky, and Koryaksky Severozemelsky, Tumninsky, and Yuzhno-Kamchatsky) include coastal areas, but do not have protected marine zones.

The total area of Russian marine terri- tory under protection (excluding buffer zones) today is 91,000 square kilometers, or 1.8% of the total shelf area under Russian jurisdiction. Comparatively, the total area of marine protected areas worldwide comprises less than 1% of the territory of the World Ocean.

Photo by V. Chernyshov.

4 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

Russia’s Federal Level Coastal and Marine Protected Areas

For details on the size and composition of individual reserves, please see the numbered table on page 41. Map by M. Dubinin.

Zapovedniks 12. Lazovsky Zakazniks 1. Astrakhansky 13. Magadansky 22. Agrakhansky 2. Bolshoi Arktichesky 14. Nenetsky 23. Franz Josef Land 3. Dagestansky 15. Poronaisky 24. Maliye Kurily 4. Dalnevostochny Morskoi 16. Sikhote-Alinsky 25. Nenetsky 5. Dzhugdzhursky 17. Taimyrsky 26. Nizhne-Obsky 6. Gydansky 18. Ust-Lensky 27. Priazovsky 7. Kandalakshsky 19. Wrangel Island 28. Samursky 8. Komandorsky 29. Severozemelsky 9. Koryaksky National Parks 30. Tumninsky 10. Kronotsky 20. Kurshskaya Kosa 31. Yuzhno-Kamchatsky 11. Kurilsky 21. Sochinsky

Photo by V. Spiridonov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 5 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

An Important Role to Play

ussia’s marine protected areas A number of existing zapovedniks Rplay an important role in further- have also been involved in efforts to ing scientific research and study, in inventory marine biological diversity. preserving biological diversity, and in Although most reserves are unable to contributing to the sustainable use of carry out such work independently natural resources. Close analysis of due to its complexity and expense, these benefits helps offer a clearer several have benefited from synergis- understanding of the great signifi- tic relationships established with cance marine protected areas present nearby research institutions that are for Russia; it also helps provide justifi- better equipped and staffed to carry cation for their increased support out research at sea. Consequently, and expansion. researchers have succeeded in con- ducting a more or less complete Many of Russia’s marine protected inventory of benthic flora and fauna areas preserve in their marine waters in two reserves, Dalnevostochny intact natural complexes. The Morskoi Zapovednik and Commander Islands Shelf, for exam- Kandalakshsky Zapovednik. Two Russian zapovedniks—Dalnevos- ple, much of which is protected by its Dalnevostochny Morskoi tochny Morskoi and Kandalakshsky— inclusion in Komandorsky Zapovednik, located in Peter the have played an important role in efforts Zapovednik, is one of the few territo- Great Bay in the Sea of Japan, is close- to inventory benthic flora and fauna. ries in the Bering Sea that has not ly affiliated with the Institute of Photo by A. Ratnikov. © WWF-Russia. been exposed to the massive effects Marine Biology in Vladivostok. of trawl fishing. Its scientific value in Kandalakshsky Zapovednik, which and thus can be used to evaluate the this regard is exceptional, as it can has its own hydrobiologists on staff, is effects of external processes or phe- serve as a model territory used for also located in an area -- nomena. For instance, observation in comparison with other regions where Kandalakshsky Bay in the White Sea-- the southern territories of fishing and invertebrate harvest are which has historically been the focus Dalnevostochny Morskoi regularly carried out. The waters of of extensive hydrobiological research Zapovednik, where local marine pol- several other marine protected areas, conducted by numerous scientific lution is not a factor, has helped to including Kronotsky and Wrangel institutions. demonstrate the effects of marine Island Zapovedniks, are also nearly pollution from terrestrial sources on untouched by human activities and The information compiled through other, assimilated territories. The can likewise serve as model natural this inventory work also serves as a capacity to conduct such monitoring complexes. foundation for monitoring changes is key, given the increasing impact in biodiversity structure over time, that human activities including ship- ping and tanker transport, pipeline construction, coastal construction, and fishing and aquaculture, are hav- ing on Russia’s coastal and marine areas.

Existing protected areas also play a significant role in preserving the marine environment, biological diversity, and biological resources. This has become particularly true since the 1990s, when the confluence of a number of negative development trends in Russia contributed to the widespread emergence of unsustain- Unaffected by trawl fishing, the waters protected by Komandorsky Zapovednik harbor able natural resource use practices. intact natural complexes that are scientifically valuable as model territories. One of the most serious of these Photo by N. Pavlov.

6 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

The specter of oil and gas develop- Marine protected areas also have an ment in Russia makes marine and important role to play given the coastal protected areas all the more increasing development of tourism at urgent. There are clear examples of sea. In many countries, such tourism how the presence or absence of a has become widely popular, and marine protected area can affect cor- marine parks and reserves have been porate activities and ultimately, con- specially created to regulate its servation outcomes. In Primorsky impacts on coral reefs and other Territory in the Russian Far East, for attractive biotopes. In Russia, tourism example, where an oil pipeline has at sea has not yet developed to the been proposed for construction, the point that it has become an acute presence and recognized legal status problem. However, there are already a of Dalnevostochny Morskoi number of coastal areas experiencing Zapovednik has compelled project its impacts. These include regions in developers to incorporate special the Baltic, White, and Barents Seas, as consideration for the reserve in their well as in Peter the Great Bay in the plans. Then in Arkhangelsk Territory, Sea of Japan; tourism development is An illegal harvest of sea urchins, seized in northwestern Russian, we see an also possible on Kamchatka. Given from poachers by Kurilsky Zapovednik unfortunate illustration of how vul- this, the creation and effective func- inspectors. Photo by E. Grigoriev. nerable a marine area of high conser- tioning of marine protected areas vation value can be in the face of oil might help to ensure sustainable use problems is poaching, which poses a and gas development, when that area by tourists and tour operators, as well very real threat to commercially valu- does not have protected status. In as to achieve maximum economic able species, and also carries with it a 2003, an oil spill from a ship belong- and social benefit for the region. loss of several billion dollars annually. ing to the Volga Tanker Company Widespread, and with deep econom- affected Onega Bay in the White Sea, We see then, that Russia’s marine pro- ic and social roots, poaching can not which is an important habitat area tected areas can serve as invaluable be eradicated by force alone. The pro- for eiders. If Onega Bay had been rec- instruments in preserving the coun- tection of select key ecosystems, ognized as a marine protected area, try’s marine environments and biodi- however, has proven to be an effec- for which many conservationists now versity. They play an indisputable tive approach to mitigating the advocate, shipping traffic through its part in assuring the conservation of threat. An excellent example of this waters would have been better regu- biological, natural, and recreational can be found in the southern Kuril lated by law, and the bay’s sensitive resources for future generations. Islands, which are notable for the natural complexes may not have diversity and wealth of their biologi- been damaged by an oil spill. cal resources, and which are also sub- ject to intensive poaching. In Kurilsky Zapovednik, and in the special reserve under it purview, Maliye Kurily Zakaznik, the zapovednik’s modestly equipped inspection brigade has demonstrated higher per inspector performance indicators than all other inspection groups involved in the fight against poach- ing. In the Sea of Japan, which is one of Russia’s most biologically diverse seas, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik has also experienced notable success in limiting coastal poaching, as well as in decreasing pollution from shipping and uncon- trolled coastal use. Indeed, protecting marine ecosystems and resources from uncontrolled use and poaching is not only one of the most obvious, but also one of the most important functions that marine protected areas serve. A unique scuba-diving program at Lazovsky Zapovednik has given these ecotourists the opportunity to experience the rich underwater world of the Sea of Japan. Photo by A. Omelyanenko.

Summer 2004, No. 36 7 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

The Challenges that Lie Ahead

ne of the most pressing and Oimmediate challenges facing Russia’s marine protected areas is that they are inadequately funded. Protecting a reserve’s marine area is much more costly than protecting land or freshwater bodies because it requires significant material invest- ment, such as in boats outfitted with sophisticated navigation and com- munications equipment. Conducting scientific research at sea is also an expensive task requiring specialized gear and equipment such as that for scuba diving and underwater sam- pling and observation. Current budg- etary constraints do not allow zapovedniks’ protection and scientif- ic departments to invest in these very necessary purchases.

Until Russia’s marine protected areas are able to invest in sophisticated patrol boats, the Limited funding also affects reserves’ threat posed by better-equipped poachers will continue to loom large on the horizon. capacities to attract, train, and retain Photo by E. Grigoriev. qualified and effective staff. This is very important because a marine tiguous marine zones, it is important protected areas’ capacities to combat reserve has very specialized personnel that it have specialists on staff with poaching. Because the authority of needs. For example, in order for a experience in fisheries and coastal zapovednik inspectors ends at their reserve to resolve issues such as zone management. However, for reserve’s boundary, these partners nature use in its buffer zones or con- financial reasons, it is very difficult for might play an important role in reserves to create and fill such posi- apprehending poachers who have tions. fled the borders of a reserve. These other agencies might also render For Russia’s marine protected areas, important assistance by providing there is no quick and easy fix to the zapovedniks with crucial informa- problem of long term financial sus- tion, such as satellite monitoring data tainability. There is always the hope or information on the location and that they might become a target for activities of fishing boats operating funding through a major internation- beyond the reserves’ borders. al program, such as the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In the To date, efforts to cultivate intera- meantime, however, it is very impor- gency collaboration have yielded tant that reserves leverage existing mixed results. Testifying to the suc- resources and partnerships as much cess of such an approach is a project as possible. supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), through which Especially critical is the establishment the analytical group of the of interagency collaboration with Northeastern Department for the other federal organs such as the Protection and Replenishment of Modest compensation and the manifold Department for Fisheries Fish Stocks (Sevvostrybvod) is collab- dangers of work at sea make the decision Management and the Federal Border orating with the Special Marine to become an MPA inspector one that Service. These strategic partners Inspectorate of the Ministry of requires thoughtful consideration. might significantly enhance marine Natural Resources to help Photo by E. Grigoriev.

8 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

Komandorsky Zapovednik detect, ly evaluate the impacts of such activi- Yet, of all the challenges facing remove, and punish fishing boats vio- ty on their territory; they would need Russia’s marine reserves, perhaps the lating its marine zone. Less positive to establish relationships with tour single greatest is a widespread lack of has been the experience of organiz- operators; they would also need to systematized information both about ing joint work between zapovedniks’ develop tourist-appropriate infra- individual reserves, as well as about inspection services and the Border structure. Other problems might arise the country’s system of marine pro- Service of the Federal Safety Service. with staffing levels being too low to tected areas as a whole. Because effectively manage visitation. Russia’s protected area system Other important partnerships to be remains largely oriented on the explored include those with the Another very significant challenge research and protection of terrestrial tourism industry and with academic facing marine protected areas is the ecosystems, reserves themselves institutions and research organiza- development and implementation of rarely conduct extensive hydrobio- tions. Both potentially offer signifi- zoning methodology. Zoning, which logical research; without the requisite cant benefits. Given the growing allocates individual territories within resources, equipment, and personnel interest in marine tourism, involve- a reserve for particular use, can play they simply don’t have the capacity ment in organizing nature viewing an important role in improving over- to. And although renowned scientific opportunities, such as rookery and all management of a protected area. institutions such as the Zoological bird colony visitation or whale Several of Russia’s marine protected Institute in St. Petersburg, the watching, could prove lucrative for areas, including Dalnevostochny Institute of Oceanology in Moscow, some marine protected areas. Other Morskoi, Kurilsky, and Komandorsky and the Institute of Marine Biology in reserves are good candidates for Zapovedniks, have already developed Vladivostok have conducted much investment by large international sci- and implemented zoning, and it is no good hydrobiological research in the entific programs. Ust-Lensky coincidence that these reserves are broad marine zones in which a num- Zapovednik, for instance, has benefit- among the most effective in protec- ber of reserves were subsequently ed from the activities of the Lena- tion. For other marine protected established, their data have seldom Nordenshekd International Research areas working to implement zoning been incorporated into the zapoved- Station, located on the reserve’s terri- of their marine areas, buffer zones, niks’ work and planning. tory in the delta of the Lena River. and biosphere polygons, it will be Consequently, there is a lack of The development and implementa- very important that they work collab- understanding about how well exist- tion of collaborative activities in oratively with federal organs of envi- ing reserves are actually functioning; these spheres does, however, give rise ronmental protection, with the we also don’t have adequate informa- to new problems that need to be Russian Academy of Sciences, and tion to plan for the creation of future addressed. In the case of tourism with the State Committee for reserves. promotion, for instance, marine pro- Fisheries. tected areas would need to thorough- In order to address this problem, it is imperative that Russia’s scientific and conservation communities pool their collective knowledge about the country’s coastal and marine zones. They must analyze it and evaluate it, paying particular attention to the extent to which different types of marine ecosystems are represented in protected territories and how well existing marine protected areas pro- vide for the protection of these ecosystems. Based on this informa- tion, it would then be possible to cre- ate a scientifically-based strategic plan for the future development of the marine protected area system. It is also essential that special research be conducted in existing reserves to assess their conservation and man- agement effectiveness, so that we better understand how the marine protected area system might be Looking to the future: Russia’s scientific and conservation communities must better gath- improved, and what successful tools er and systematize information about Russia’s coastal and marine zones, including its or practices might be replicated sys- MPAs. © WWF-Russia. tem-wide.

Summer 2004, No. 36 9 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

Russia’s Marine Biosphere Reserves

By Vadim Mokievsky

A note from the editors: In the twenty-seventh issue of Russian Conservation News, published in Fall 2001, we offered readers an in-depth look at the biosphere reserve concept and its implementation in Russia. Because the concept’s objec- tives are highly appropriate to marine environments, we believe it worthwhile to revisit this important topic, directing our attention, in this issue of RCN, to Russia’s existing system of marine biosphere reserves and also to the prospects for its future expansion.

he current concept of the bios- involvement in decision making Zapovednik on the Caspian Sea; Tphere reserve, which includes ter- about nature use practices, can favor- Komandorsky Zapovednik on the ritorial zoning, and, as a rule, cluster- ably affect the protection of an Bering Sea; Kronotsky on the ing of protected territories, is highly ecosystem in its entirety, as well as its Okhotsk Sea; and Dalnevostochny suitable for the protection of marine individual components. Morskoy and Sikhote-Alinsky ecosystems, even more so than the Zapovedniks on the Sea of Japan. traditional Russian zapovednik (strict At present, five of Russia’s marine Even with the most cursory glance at reserve) concept, which is oriented protected areas have UNESCO bios- this group of marine biosphere primarily toward terrestrial ecosys- phere reserve status: Astrakhansky reserves, it is apparent that there are a tems and landscapes.

There are numerous reasons for this, most of which can be attributed to the particularities of marine ecosys- tems and the use of marine resources. Generally, marine ecosystems, espe- cially those in temperate and polar latitudes, are vast in size. Large bays and even seas can be viewed as singu- lar, whole ecosystems, individual parts of which are linked by a system of circulating currents, and by popu- lations of many species that rely on different, often distant, parts of an ecosystem at various stages of their life cycle.

Because these marine ecosystems extend for hundreds and thousands of square kilometers, it is practically impossible to create one nature reserve that encompasses an entire, ecologically whole marine area. Given this, the best approach for pro- tecting Large Marine Ecosystems is through the creation of cluster reserves (protected areas comprised of multiple units that protect repre- sentative parts of a larger ecosystem), in which individual territorial com- ponents have different protection regimes, such as with the biosphere model. The integrated management of an expansive marine area within the bounds of a single biosphere reserve, together with the reserve’s Biosphere reserves demonstrate the sustainable interaction between people and nature. Artwork by S. Pasenyuk.

10 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas number of significant gaps in geo- graphic coverage. All of Russia’s existing marine biosphere reserves The Biosphere Reserve Concept are located south of the 56th parallel. • Biosphere reserves are a creation of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program. In the Russian Arctic, not one of the • They are defined as “areas of terrestrial and coastal-marine ecosystems seven existing zapovedniks that which are internationally recognized for promoting and demonstrating a include marine areas have biosphere balanced relationship between people and nature.” reserve status. Obviously, the conser- • A biosphere reserve has three primary functions. The conservation func- vation value of the Russian Arctic’s tion contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, marine coasts is great. They are dis- and genetic variation. The development function fosters economic devel- tinct in the diversity of their coastal opment that is ecologically and culturally sustainable. The logistic support ecosystems, and in their importance function facilitates research, monitoring, training, and education related to as habitat area to many rare species, local, regional, and global conservation and development issues. both terrestrial and marine. The • Biosphere reserves are organized into three inter-related zones. The core Arctic coasts are also significant for zone is legally established to ensure long-term protection; it should be ethno-cultural reasons. Numerous large enough to meet defined conservation objectives; and it should be indigenous peoples live along the subject to minimal human activity. The buffer zone is located around or immense coastal zone that stretches next to the core, where activities must be regulated to protect the core; across Russia from the White Sea in this is an area for research, ecosystem restoration, education and training, the west to Chukotka in the east. and carefully designed tourism and recreation activities. The outer transi- Here, they have preserved many of tion area, or cooperation zone, has unfixed limits; here, stakeholders work their unique traditional nature use together to manage and develop the area’s resources for the benefit of practices. Yet current efforts to people living and working there. extract and utilize the natural Source: UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme website, available resources of the North threaten these online at: http://www.unesco.org/mab/index.htm practices, as well as the unique natu- ral features of the Arctic coast. southern part of the region. Many of Sakhalin Island, are excluded from A similar situation is observed in the the biologically rich, highly produc- the network of biosphere reserves. seas of the Russian Far East, where all tive ecosystems of the Sea of existing marine biosphere reserves, Okhotsk, even the unique natural Eliminating these gaps does not nec- with the exception of Komandorsky complexes of the Kuril Islands and essarily require the creation of com- Zapovednik, are located in the

Students explore Komandorsky Zapovednik, a biosphere reserve. Photo by N. Pavlov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 11 An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas

Classifying Ocean Ecosystems Marine scientists, planners, and resource managers use various terms to describe units or scales for conducting marine research monitoring, and conservation. Two of these commonly used concepts are:

Large Marine Ecosystem Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are regions of ocean space encompassing coastal areas from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundary of continental shelves and the seaward margins of coastal current systems. Fifty of them have been identified. They are relatively large regions (200,000 square kilometers or more) characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophically dependent populations. Several LMEs occupy semi-enclosed areas, such as the Black Sea or the Mediterranean. They can be divided in sub-areas (e.g., the Adriatic Sea). Others are limited by open continental margins (e.g. the Northwestern Australian shelf). Their seaward limit extends usually beyond the continental shelf. Being defined by natural parameters, they most often straddle political boundaries. They have been identified for the purpose of comprehensive monitoring of their condition. They could be used as a basis for ecosystem-based management of shared natural resources. Source: United Nations Atlas of the Oceans, Prepared by J.J. Maguire and Jorge Csirke, Marine Resources Division. Available online at: http://www.oceansatlas.com/world_fisheries_and_aquaculture/html/ecosys/coastmarine/largemarine/default.ht Marine Ecoregion A marine ecoregion is defined as a large body of water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics; share similar environmental condi- tions, and; interact ecologically in ways that are critical for their long-term persistence. Source: World Wildlife Fund. Available online at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/science/ecoregions/delineation.cfm pletely new protected areas. Instead, be able to assert greater influence new biosphere reserves can be estab- over the entire marine area. lished by implementing the bios- phere reserve concept on existing In creating a biosphere reserve on the marine protected areas. Many of the base of any existing marine zapoved- existing coastal and marine zapoved- nik, it is necessary to optimize the niks of the Arctic and Russian Far East reserve’s spatial structure. The pro- already largely correspond with the tected cores should be located in the biosphere reserve model and require marine zone such that their inclusion only slight modification to their terri- in the biosphere reserve allows for tory. the protection of intact natural objects, such as a large bay. In plan- Many of the marine zapovedniks in ning for this, hydrological and biolog- these regions have been organized as ical information about large-scale clusters, that is, they are comprised of natural processes in the sea are several separate units. Thus, the “typi- absolutely necessary, and the absence cal” marine zapovednik of the of precise knowledge about the flora, Russian North is a mosaic of small, fauna, and community structures in protected core areas, which are sur- the protected marine zone signifi- rounded by narrow buffer zones and cantly complicates work. However, separated by wide marine zones that by using all available oceanologic are open to economic activity, such as information, it will be possible to fishing, for instance. Currently, how- plan for almost any existing marine ever, zapovedniks, as nature conser- zapovednik at minimal cost. vation institutions, do not have the opportunity to influence economic Vadim Mokievsky is a Senior and nature use policies beyond their Scientist at the P. P. Shirshov Institute Biosphere reserves allow for the continu- borders. By converting these marine of Oceanology, Russian Academy of ation of traditional nature use by local people. zones into biosphere polygons, or Sciences, in Moscow. Photo by N. Pavlov. transition areas, zapovedniks would

12 Russian Conservation News An Introduction to Marine Protected Areas MPA Workshop Offers Opportunities for Dialogue

Compiled by RCN Editors using information provided by WWF-Russia and the UNESCO Moscow Office.

round the world, debates about ed areas, all of which encompass managers to share experiences and Ahow to most effectively conserve marine areas, but which are highly work jointly to resolve common ocean resources often lead to a dis- diverse in their geographic locations, management problems. cussion of marine zoning. In 2003, as well as in other factors, including Russian conservationists met to dis- size, spatial organization, and man- During the initial sessions of the cuss how zoning could be used to agement. Specialists from WWF, workshop, participants discussed enhance marine biodiversity protec- UNESCO, the Biodiversity issues of shared interest and concern tion in Russian waters. From October Conservation Center (Moscow), Far such as the legislation governing 5-8, 2003, twenty experts on protect- Eastern State University marine protected areas and strategies ed areas management and biodiversi- (Vladivostok), and Moscow State for combating poaching. Later on, ty conservation gathered in University, also attended the work- each protected area’s representative, Primorsky Territory in the Russian Far shop, as did a number of journalists. either the reserve’s director or deputy East for a workshop, “Zoning and director, delivered a presentation Management of Russia’s Marine The primary goals of the workshop about his/her protected area. The Protected Areas.” The Moscow Office were to explore the role that protect- presentations illustrated the variety of of the United Nations Educational, ed areas encompassing coastal terri- zoning and management patterns Scientific, and Cultural Organization tories, islands, and marine zones play among Russia’s marine protected (UNESCO) and the World Wide Fund in addressing global and Russian areas. for Nature (WWF) Russia Programme environmental problems; to discuss Office jointly organized the event, the current status of and prospects At the same time, the presentations which was held 200 kilometers south for developing marine protected also demonstrated that many of the of Vladivostok, at the Marine areas in Russia; and to develop princi- threats facing the reserves’ marine Experimental Station on the border ples for zoning protected areas and environments and biodiversity are of Dalnevostochny Morskoi marine areas, means for the princi- essentially similar. Workshop partici- Zapovednik. ples’ realization, and proposals for pants discussed each presentation in future action. Organizers also envi- depth and these discussions helped Directors and deputy directors from sioned the workshop as an opportu- to identify common problems and nine zapovedniks participated in the nity to establish a functional network, best practices of marine protected workshop. They represented protect- which would allow protected area areas management in the Russian Federation.

As a result of their discussions, work- shop participants drafted a list of res- olutions regarding future actions and requests to be shared with authori- ties, including those representing the Ministry of Natural Resources, the State Fisheries Committee, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Resolutions included clarifying the legal status of zapovedniks’ marine buffer zones, strengthening the role of reserves in commercial stocks pro- tection, and increasing zapovedniks’ access to fishery satellite monitoring information.

This article was compiled from infor- mation provided by the UNESCO Moscow Office and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Russia Participants in the UNESCO-WWF workshop on an outing. Programme Office. Photo provided by V. Spiridonov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 13 Case Studies Case Studies

Introduction to the Case Studies Section

note from the editors: In the coastal and marine protected areas. around the world, the problems and following section of the journal, The texts acquaint you with each fea- threats facing Russia's marine envi- Ayou will join us on a voyage of eight tured reserve, with its distinct land ronment may not seem uncommon. seas. We will venture to Russia’s and seascapes, and with its unique However, the scale of Russia's marine wave-washed periphery and beyond, assemblage of species and natural realm, the biodiversity itself, and the to waters temperate, to waters frigid, communities. people working to protect it, are to waters teeming with life. Our jour- unique. The final article in this sec- ney will take us to eight protected The pieces also offer a glimpse at how tion presents the results of one areas, islands literal and figurative, Russia’s marine protected areas marine reserve's effort to join an where coastal and marine ecosys- approach the important functions international initiative to evaluate the tems, exceptional in their biodiversi- ascribed to them: biodiversity conser- management effectiveness of MPAs ty, breathtaking in their beauty, are vation, research, protection, and worldwide. preserved. community outreach. They under- score the great importance and Forward, then, we go, to the White The upcoming pages document our urgency of marine zone protection, and Barents Seas, to the Caspian, to explorations. They offer a series of especially in light of threats such as the Kara and Laptev, to the Bering case studies, articles carefully chosen illegal and unsustainable fishing and and Baltic Seas, and to the Sea of to spotlight specific aspects of select oil development. To many readers Japan!

Federal level coastal and marine protected areas included in this section. Map by M. Dubinin.

14 Russian Conservation News Case Studies Kandalakshsky Zapovednik: Protecting Seabirds in Russia’s Northwestern Seas

Established: 1932 Protected Area: 70,530 hectares, including 49,583 hectares of marine zone General Characteristics: The zapovednik’s territories are situated on the marine periphery of Murmansk Region, from the Russian-Norwegian border in the Barents Sea, to the Republic of Karelia in the White Sea. Comprised of 13 units. International Designation: The zapovednik’s territories on the White Sea were included in the Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, “Kandalaksha Bay” in 1976, while those on the Barents Sea were included on a list of poten- tial sites for future Ramsar designation.

By Alexander Koryakin

andalakshsky Zapovednik has a unsustainable hunting Klong history of researching and practices. In order to protecting the remarkably rich and protect the population, a diverse seabird life of the Barents and special game reserve was White Seas. The reserve’s efforts have established in 1932 in not only furthered scientific under- the inner part of standing of many avian species, but Kandalaksha Bay; seven have also significantly contributed to years later, this local the conservation status of the reserve was reestablished region’s seabirds, many of which are as Kandalakshsky considered to be quite rare. With Zapovednik. anthropogenic threats mounting, the reserve will have an increasingly Over the century, the important role to play in the future, reserve’s territory was not just in ensuring the long term expanded numerous existence of the region’s seabirds, but times, as additional indeed, in maintaining the ecological islands, archipelagos, health and balance of all its ecosys- and mainland coastal tems and biodiversity. areas were incorporated into the zapovednik. It Kandalakshsky Zapovednik was ini- was only in 1977 that tially created to protect one species, the marine waters sur- the common eider (Somateria mollis- rounding these terrestri- . By the 1930s, the population al units were officially sima) Kandalakshsky Zapovednik. of common eider in Kandalaksha Bay incorporated into the Map by M. Dubinin. had fallen off catastrophically due to zapovednik’s territory.

Ryashkov Island in Kandalakshsky Zapovednik. Photo by I. Shpilenok.

Summer 2004, No. 36 15 Case Studies

For many years prior, the zapoved- In order to minimize the effects of nik’s islands had been surrounded by this human activity on protected bird marine buffer zones varying in width species, the start of this two-month- from 200-500 meters, which were long visitation period, generally not legally part of the reserve. August 1, is determined entirely by the biology of the birds nesting on The rationale for this expansion can the archipelagos. If their nesting sites be attributed to one primary goal, the are disturbed, nesting success rates of protection of key seabird and marine all nesting species drop sharply. By mammal breeding areas. Almost 40% August, however, the overwhelming of all seabirds species nest in the majority of wader and gull chicks Murmansk Region, and the zapoved- have already taken flight, and duck nik’s territory and marine waters are hatchlings, particularly eiders, are no critically important for the reproduc- longer limited to foraging in the tion of a number of species in Russia, islands’ coastal shallows and can, if Puffins . including the shag cormorant disturbed, easily relocate to deeper (Fratercula arctica) Photo by R. Chemyakin. (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), great cor- water or to areas under complete morant (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo), protection. Special measures are Databases of the Barents Sea Region gannet (Sula bassana), common taken, however, to ensure as little dis- and the Kara Sea (2000), and the Red eider (Somateria mollissima), and turbance as possible. The permit that Data Book of the Murmansk Region puffin (Fratercula arctica). With the is distributed to local residents fea- (2003). establishment of a network of pro- tures a detailed map of the territory tected territories in Kandalaksha Bay and includes information about its The zapovednik’s staff, and indeed that was conceived to incorporate protection regimes. In addition, visi- many other conservationists, have primary seabird breeding areas, tors are strictly prohibited from observed with growing concern how almost 95% of the 40-50,000 birds bringing dogs onto the islands; they anthropogenic factors are posing an nesting in the bay now nest on the are also not allowed to hunt or to set increasing threat to the region’s zapovednik’s territory. campfires. seabirds and to its ecosystems and biodiversity in general. One very sig- While a majority of the reserve’s terri- The zapovednik’s scientific staff has nificant threat has been the destabi- tory is under strict protection, there devoted special attention to studying lization of their forage base. In the are two exceptions, Oleniy and and researching seabirds. Over the 1980s, for instance, over harvest of Luvengsky Archipelagos, which are years, reserve scientists have pub- commercial fish species led to a dras- located in inner Kandalaksha Bay, lished several hundred articles about tic population decrease in fish-eating near the city of Kandalaksha. These seabirds, and they are also the focus seabirds nesting on the Barents Sea territories were incorporated into the of the majority of the zapovednik’s Coast. The introduction of benthos- zapovednik under the condition that ten volumes of scientific work. The eating red king crab (Paralithodes members of the local community, most important publications to camtschaticus) to the Barents Sea has who traditionally used the area to fish which zapovednik staff have con- also undermined the forage base of a and to gather berries and mush- tributed in recent years are: The number of seabird species, particular- rooms, be granted limited, seasonal Status of Marine Bird Breeding in the ly three eider species, which feed on access to the land. Barents Sea Regions (2000, 2004 mollusks. The massive runoff of water Russian translation), Seabird Colony into the inner bay from the Niva

Eider (Somateria mollissima) broods paddling in near shore waters. Photo by R. Chemyakin.

16 Russian Conservation News Case Studies

River Hydroelectric Station’s over- seabirds gather. For seabirds, oil pol- money for proper protection, for flowing reservoir in the spring and lution is extremely dangerous. When environmental education, or for sci- summer of 2000 also affected the coated in oil, birds’ plumage loses its ence. Staffing problems, which are mollusk population, and correspond- insulating properties and also financially related, may have a ingly, those species feeding on them. water resistance; birds con- serious impact on the zapovednik’s The water’s increased salinity proved sequently become wet and work in the years to come. The aver- very damaging to blue mussel quickly die from age staff age at Kandalakshsky (Mytilus edulis) beds and periwinkle hypothermia. In Zapovednik exceeds 50 years, and in populations (Littorina sp.); the total Kandalaksha Bay, there the Russian North, where the reserve resulting loss in mollusk biomass was have already been several is located, men qualify for retirement estimated to be 6-12 tons (1-2 tons spills that have resulted in at 55, and women at 50. This means of periwinkles; 6-12 tons of mussels). the death of hundreds of that, unless it is able to attract new seabirds. With the personnel in the near future, the Certainly foremost among conserva- Murmansk Shipping reserve might soon be facing a tion concerns, however, is the Company proposal and staffing crisis. prospective increase in oil transport other large scale projects and refinement projects in the region. looming, the future risk to According to the estimates The proposals are numerous, but the both the region’s seabird pop- of zapovednik Director one presenting the greatest risk to ulations and to the zapovednik Alexander Chavgun, the seabirds and the zapovednik in gen- in general, will be incompara- reserve’s annual budget falls eral is one put forth by the Murmansk bly large. 30 million rubles, or Shipping Company to transport approximately one mil- crude oil using shuttle tankers from How will the zapoved- lion dollars, short the port of Vitino to 150,000 ton nik confront these chal- of what is neces- tanker-transporters. The proposed lenges? Its system of sary to support the tanker loading area, which is located monitoring, which has zapovednik’s nor- in the inner part of Kandalaksha Bay, been established over mal functioning. European shag is positioned between areas protect- decades’ time, is slowly Obviously, it would (Phalocrocorax aristotelis). ed by the zapovednik. Because of the deteriorating; protection be absurd for the Photo by R. Chemyakin. direction of the sea current, any seri- of its territories is far reserve to hope to ous spillage during oil pumping from adequate; and federal funding is receive such a large sum from donor would unavoidably pollute the sufficient to cover only the most organizations. In this regard, the zapovednik’s protected marine basic administrative-management long-term fate of the zapovednik waters, where tens of thousands of activities. There simply is not enough depends entirely on the policies of federal organs. Under the circum- stances, efforts might well be directed toward strengthening the reserve’s legal position by attaining Ramsar Wetland status for all of its territories. Although there are still no laws or regulations in Russia determining the status of Wetlands of International Importance, this designation would nevertheless offer some additional opportunities to provide for the pro- tection of the zapovednik and sur- rounding regions, including through appeal to other parties of the conven- tion. The reserve should also evaluate the possibility of creating a joint Russian-Norwegian wetland “Varanger- Fjord,” which might include, among other territories on the Russian side, Ainov and Kiysky Islands.

Alexander Koryakin is the Deputy Director of Science at Kandalakshsky A watchful colony of cormorants (Phalocrocorax sp.). Photo by V. Gritsyuk. Zapovednik

Summer 2004, No. 36 17 Case Studies Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik: Monitoring Pollution in Russia’s Largest Nature Reserve

Established: 1993 Protected Area: 4,169,222 hectares, including 980,934 hectares of marine zone Buffer Zone: 9,550 hectares (terrestrial) General Characteristics: The zapovednik is located on the Taimyr Peninsula and islands of the Arctic Ocean. The federal-level special purpose reserve, Severozemelsky Zakaznik, with an area of 421,701 hectares, is under the zapovednik’s management.

By Inga Chuprova and Valery Chuprov

ccupying over four million Yellowstone National Park. Its vast restrial, island, freshwater, and marine Ohectares on the northern coast territory extends for over 1,000 kilo- coastal ecosystems, which provide of the Taimyr Peninsula and on adja- meters from west to east, and over habitat to many species listed in the cent islands, Bolshoi Arktichesky 600 kilometers from north to south. Red Data Books of the Russian Zapovednik in Eastern Siberia is not Comprised of seven separate units, Federation and Krasnoyarsk Krai only Russia’s largest strictly protected the reserve encompasses the com- (Region). Among the reserve’s rare nature reserve, but indeed, the largest plete spectrum of Arctic biological and endangered species are the polar protected area in all of Eurasia. It is and ecological diversity. Included bear (Ursus maritimus), Atlantic and over four times the size of within its territory are numerous ter- Laptev walrus (Odobenus rosmarus, Odobenus rosmarus laptevi Chapskiy), narwhale (Mondon mono- ceros), Arctic populations of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), Brant goose (Branta ruficollis), Bewick’s swan (Cygnus bewickii), Peregrine fal- con (Falco peregrinus), erne (Haliaeetus albicilla), and the ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea).

The reserve’s territories are subject to significant anthropogenic impacts. Among the greatest threats are those facing the estuarine and delta regions of the Yenisey and Pyasina Rivers. The Yenisey River is one of the longest rivers in Asia, flowing for over 4,000 kilometers from the Mongolian bor- der in south central Russia to the Kara Sea. The Yenisey is joined by many tributaries along its course and is consequently exposed to a broad range of pollutants and downstream effects of human activity.

The primary threat to the Pyasina River, which flows for more than 800 kilometers through the Taimyr Region, is the Norilsk Mountain Enrichment Combine. The facility processes high-grade mineral ore and enrichment products, including cop- per, nickel, and pyrite concentrates. Its impacts on the environment are characteristic of metallurgic enter- Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik. Map by M. Dubinin. prises; it emits pollutants into the

18 Russian Conservation News Case Studies atmosphere and its production study, researchers gathered 275 soil, wastes, which contain the full spec- water, and snow samples from the trum of minerals from Mendeleyev’s study region, and conducted a num- periodic table, pollute surface and ber of different analyses on them, subterranean bodies of water. The including; luminescence; electron plant’s wastes and pollution signifi- microscopic; complete chemical; and cantly affect the Norilo-Pyasinsky sys- quantitative analysis of trace element tem. Through Pyasino Lake, Pyasina abundances. River, and the Kara Sea, these wastes come in direct contact with the Based on their analysis, researchers zapovednik’s territory. identified increased levels of bitumi- nous substances in certain samples, In fact, atmospheric pollution is a with the highest levels found in sam- very serious problem that affects the ples taken from near the village of entire greater Norilsk Industrial Dikson, the William Barents Region. Annually, the factories of Biostation, the right bank of the Norilsk emit almost 2 million tons of mouth of the Pyasina River, and the sulfur dioxide, which comprises Uboinaya River. The scientists also A factory plant in nearby Norilsk belches approximately one sixth of the sulfur identified in water and snow samples noxious wastes into the air. dioxide emitted by all countries of the presence of technogenic sub- Photo by S. Sobolyev. the European Union together. One strates (materials made or altered by in the mouth of the Yenisey River. fourth of the sulfur dioxide emitted humans through technical processes) Research revealed significant increas- from the Norilsk factories falls on the that were similar to those found in es in ammonia and nitrogen from Dikson District of Krasnoyarsk atmospheric dust from the city of previous years, with ammonia con- Region, where the zapovednik is Norilsk. Water samples taken from tent doubling, and nitrogen content located. Arctic air mass circulation the Pyasina River were also deter- increasing threefold. Based on these patterns have carried the pollution mined to have increased sulfate-ion results, researchers have concluded across borders and contributed to the content, which might also be pre- that water quality has decreased com- pollution of air, soil, and bodies of sumably linked to the Norilsky pared to other years. water for tens of thousands of square Combine introducing technogenic kilometers. sulfur into the atmosphere. The Scientific staff at Bolshoi Arktichesky transfer of carcinogenic metal-organ- Zapovednik are currently conducting Zapovednik staff, together with the ic compounds and technogenic hydrochemical research along the Moscow-based federal scientific insti- radionuclides, which are highly solu- flow of the Yenisey River as part of a tution “Aerogeologia,” recently con- ble and actively penetrate trophic project called “Biochemical Tracer ducted a three year long study in chains, presents potential danger to Agents in Arctic Rivers: Interaction of order to better understand some of the ecosystem. Circumpolar Water Basins and the the changes taking place in the estu- Arctic Ocean.” In the future, the arine regions of the Yenisey and The zapovednik also conducted joint zapovednik would like to develop Pyasina Rivers, as well as along the research with the federal institution and implement, together with any marine coasts of Yenisey and Pyasina “Center for Nature Use and Nature other interested organizations, a pro- Bays, in the Kara Sea. During the Conservation” to study water quality gram to conduct landscape-geo- chemical monitoring of territories within the borders of Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik, as well as those beyond, such as along the path of proposed pollution transfer from Norilsk, along the Pyasina River, and to the Kara Sea. Conducting such research might establish a basis for the creation of a system of fines and sanctions, which might be levied against polluters in order to help decrease ecological risk to the envi- ronment.

Inga Chuprova is the Deputy A coastal view from the Taimyr Peninsula, where Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik is Director for Science at Bolshoi Arktichesky Zapovednik. Valery located. Photo by L. Williams. Chuprov is the reserve’s Director.

Summer 2004, No. 36 19 Case Studies Dagestansky Zapovednik: Protecting Fish Stocks in the Northern Caspian Sea

Established: 1987 Protected Area: 19,061 hectares, including 18,485 hectares of marine zone Buffer Zone: 1,175 hectares (terrestrial); 19,890 hectares (marine) General Characteristics: The zapovednik is located in the Dagestan Republic in Russia’s Northern Caucasus Region. One section of the reserve protects coastal and marine habitat in Kizlyar Bay, in the northwestern Caspian Sea. The second section protects the Sarykum Sand Dune, located 180 km further to the south. International designations: In 2000, the reserve was included on a list of potential sites for future designation as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.

By Gazimagomed Magomedov

ith one of its two units located as well as numerous migratory species. Walong the shores and in the The bay’s favorable hydrological waters of Kizlyar Bay, in the north- regime; rich, natural forage base; and western Caspian Sea, Dagestansky suitable spawning substrate have also Zapovednik plays an important role in attracted great numbers of fish here. protecting the coastal and marine bio- diversity of this, the world’s largest More than seventy species and sub- inland sea. The bay provides impor- species of freshwater and marine fish tant habitat to more than one hundred can be found in the zapovednik’s bird species, including large nesting marine zone. Kizlyar Bay is the only colonies of glossy ibis (Plegadis fal- place on the Dagestan coast, where cinellus), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea fish spawn directly in marine water, leucorodia), eastern white pelican and seventy-eighty million juvenile (Pelecanus onocrotalus), and semi-anadromous and freshwater fish Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), are spawned in the reserve’s waters annually. Many of these fish, such as sprat (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia), Dagestansky Zapovednik. Saposhnikovi and Map by M. Dubinin. Caspian shad (Alosa saposhnikovi, Alosa increased markedly in the Dagestan caspia caspia), sand Republic in recent years, and criminal smelt (Atherina sp.), syndicates specializing in the illegal and goby (Family harvest and preparation of caviar are Gobiidae), are prevalent. Kizlyar Bay is one of the important links in main fishing regions along the the food chain. Dagestan coast and poaching in the Numerous sturgeon zapovednik’s marine zone is one of the and herring species greatest problem’s facing the reserve. also migrate through the Dagestanksy Zapovednik, like so many zapovednik’s other marine protected areas in Russia, marine zone, which lacks the resources to effectively con- increases its signifi- front this problem. Without adequate cance for biodiversi- communications and surveillance ty conservation. equipment, means of transportation, and supplies and gear, the reserve’s Like birds and fish, work, especially that of its protection poachers are service, is paralyzed. In fact, a special attracted to the operative group created in the 1980’s Back at shore with fish caught in Kizlyar Bay. zapovednik as well. to combat the illegal harvest of stur- Photo by I. Shpilenok. Criminality has geon, was recently disbanded due to

20 Russian Conservation News Case Studies

Reporting on Conservation in the Caucasus The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a funding partnership between Conservation International (CI), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank, is supporting a major initiative for conservation in key areas for biodi- versity. One of the targeted areas is the Caucasus, the mountainous region between the Black and Caspian seas, which includes Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and parts of Russia, Iran and Turkey. With support from CEPF, RCN will be reporting on Caucasus-related issues over the next year. For more information about the nature of the region and threats facing it, please see: http://www.cepf.net/xp/cepf/where_we_work/caucasus/full_strategy.xml. With fish confiscated from poachers lin- the lack of adequate financial and Despite these daunting challenges, the ing the floor of their boat, Dagestansky material support. Insufficient funding zapovednik perseveres in its efforts to Zapovednik inspectors prepare a citation. also hinders the reserve’s capacity to battle poaching. Annually, the reserve Photo by G. Magomedov. hire qualified protection staff. apprehends an average of 30-35 peo- Republic. The zapovednik’s work is According to federal salary scales, even ple who have violated its protected also being incorporated into recom- the highest ranking zapovednik regime, and issues an average of 30 mendations for sustainable nature use inspector earns a maximum salary of citations. It also seizes up to 500 kg of in the region and for interaction with 800 rubles, or less than $30 per month. illegally harvested fish and confiscates nature conservation organizations. Few are willing to perform such dan- poachers’ nets. The reserve also levies gerous work for so little money. fines and brings legal action against The establishment of Dagestansky violators, who are brought to justice in Zapovednik, the first federal strict Another serious problem the reserve criminal court. nature reserve in Russia’s Dagestan faces in protecting its marine zone Republic, was a great achievement in concerns the condition of many Dagestansky Zapovednik has also con- the protection and restoration of the boundary markers and observation ducted scientific research and ecologi- republic’s unique natural features. towers installed in the years immedi- cal monitoring to evaluate the condi- There is, however, still much to be ately following the reserve’s establish- tion of the natural complexes and bio- done in order for the zapovednik to ment. As the level of the Caspian Sea diversity on its territory. It is currently fulfill the serious tasks facing it. has risen, these markers have become conducting an inventory of the pri- Defense of the zapovednik’s natural submerged underwater, and many mary biota groups in its protected complexes and objects requires real have been destroyed by ice movement marine zone and is also carrying out financing and future reform of the in the spring. Consequently, neither research to determine the protected protection service’s organization and the reserve’s inspectors, nor poachers area’s role in replenishing the fish activities. or other violators of the reserve’s terri- stocks of the northern Caspian Sea. tory, can determine with any precision The reserve’s research results have Gazimagomed Magomedov is the the contours of the zapovednik’s many practical applications. The Director of Dagestansky Zapovednik marine zone. The marine zone must zapovednik’s observations of the be equipped with buoys that will mark movement and status of ichthyofauna its borders and hinder penetration of are considered by officials when deter- the protected marine zone by boats mining the start and end dates of the and other crafts. fishing season in the Dagestan

A flock of swans takes flight over a protected area of Kizlyar Bay. Photo by I. Shpilenok.

Summer 2004, No. 36 21 Case Studies Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik: Facing the Challenges of Protection Work in the Sea of Japan

Established: 1935 Protected Area: 401,428 hectares, including 2,900 hectares of marine zone Buffer Zone: 62,550 hectares (terrestrial); 5,110 hectares (marine). General Characteristics: Situated on the Sea of Japan, in the central part of the Sikhote-Alin Mountain Range. Comprised of 2 units. International designations: Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1979. Constitutes part of the World Heritage Site, Central Sikhote-Alin, designated in 2001.

By Anatoly Astafyev

est known for its vast forests and The situation was grim, but Bimportant role in providing despite the many daunting Siberian tiger habitat, Sikhote-Alinsky challenges facing them, Zapovednik also encompasses marine staff at Sikhote-Alinsky biodiversity. Spotted (Largha) seals Zapovednik did not give (Phoca largha) and common otters up. Instead, they began to (Lutra lutra) swim in the reserve’s act. The reserve began to marine waters, while its coastal zone court outside funding, and its efforts provides habitat to small nesting were quite successful. Beginning in colonies of endemic seabird species 1993, the reserve received financial such as the spectacled guillemot assistance from a number of organi- (Cepphus carbo) and Temminck's cor- zations, including Mezhkombank, a morant (Phalacrocorax capillatus). Russian bank; WWF-Germany; WWF-Russia; The Save the Tiger Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik’s work to Fund, a special project of the protect its marine zone began imme- National Fish and Wildlife diately after it was incorporated into Foundation in partnership with the reserve in 1991. The zapovednik’s ExxonMobil Corporation; The early efforts were undertaken during Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation an extremely difficult period in Fund, administered by the US Fish & Map by M. Dubinin. Russian history, when the Soviet Wildlife Service; the Marine Ecological Union had begun to disintegrate, and Fund of Primorsky Territory; and the Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik, like when the regime’s legal and economic joint Russian-American Program to other reserves, was receiving far from foundations were beginning to crack. Save the Amur Tiger. adequate support. During this transitional period, Donor funds were allocated first and Federal funding had fallen off signifi- foremost to equip the zapovednik’s cantly. The few boats that the reserve protection service and anti-poaching had were all very small and equipped brigade with new gear and equipment, with obsolete motors in dire need of including that necessary for sea repair. The zapovednik lacked the patrols. Only thanks to these addition- resources to specially train inspectors al resources was the reserve able to for the challenging and often danger- effectively patrol its protected marine ous work of marine protection. At zone and its marine buffer zone. As a times, the money in the reserve’s cof- result of the reserve’s enhanced capac- fers was insufficient even just to buy ities, it was able to establish full con- gasoline for patrol boats. Simply, the trol over its protected marine zones by reserve lacked the material and tech- the end of the 1990s. nical base to combat the illegal har- vest of marine bioresources in its In addition to securing grant support, waters. Consequently, violations of the the zapovednik also succeeded in reserve’s protection regime began to The untouched beauty of Sikhote-Alinsky forging fruitful, collaborative relations increase steadily. Zapovednik. Photo by V. Chernyshov. with various organizations, such as the Far Eastern Special Marine

22 Russian Conservation News Case Studies

Inspectorate, the Federal Border them apprised of inspectors’ activities inspectors’ smaller boats. Inclement Service, the Federal Security Service, and movements. weather also poses another serious and the militia. challenge to inspectors working in Fortunately, though, the zapovednik small crafts, who, during a storm, may This inter-agency collaboration has has recently made some progress in find themselves out in choppy water, substantially enhanced the zapoved- securing its communications. With far from shore. nik’s abilities to ensure the protection funding from The Rhinoceros and of its waters. The Federal Border Tiger Conservation Fund, the Another factor which hinders efforts Service offers assistance by identifying zapovednik was able to acquire a to protect and control the zapoved- ships that have violated the protected satellite phone. The satellite phone nik’s protected marine zones is the marine zones and by immediately has allowed for the establishment of minimal compensation that inspec- informing the zapovednik’s adminis- reliable communication between tors receive for their very demanding tration about it. It has also provided inspectors in the field and the work. At $87 per month, a zapovednik the zapovednik with boats for use in zapovednik’s administration, as well inspector’s salary is three and a half apprehending ships that have violated as between the border service, police, times lower than the average salary the reserve’s waters, and quite often and other agencies. And because offered by other organizations in the the zapovednik, Federal Border poachers and other violators are same region. Consequently, many Service, and in some cases, inspectors unable to listen in on the satellite young people who begin work as from the Special Marine Inspectorate phone, the reserve has enjoyed inspectors at the reserve remain on jointly apprehend violators. When increased success in identifying and staff only a very short while, as they inspection patrols succeed in appre- apprehending them. eventually find other, less dangerous hending a violating ship, they escort it work, for which they receive better to a nearby port, where they inspect There do, however, remain a number pay. all documents and cargo, often with of needs that are unfulfilled and prob- assistance from the Federal Security lems that are unresolved. Foremost These challenges that Sikhote-Alinsky Service. among them is the zapovednik’s lack Zapovednik is facing in securing its of a small, fast moving cutter, which marine zone are all too common Yet, despite grant support and partner would better enable it to apprehend among Russia’s marine zapovedniks, assistance, the zapovednik is still, poachers. Acquisition of such a boat is and their resolution requires financial unfortunately, unable to apprehend all critical because the 4.3 meter long support and resources above and ships violating its waters. The ships motorboats that the reserve’s inspec- beyond what is currently available. that enter the protected marine zone tors currently use make work at sea, For the time being, the reserve is left to poach sea urchin, crab, salmon, and even in fair weather, an extremely dif- looking to the future, in hopes that other fish species, are very well ficult affair. For inspectors in small, someday the protection of Russia’s equipped and capable of outrunning low-to-the-water patrol boats, even marine zapovedniks will become almost any ship that nears them. The just boarding the larger ships used by more of a priority, and perhaps even poachers are also able to anticipate poachers can be a problem. And become the focus of a specialized sup- the zapovednik’s enforcement efforts. sometimes the apprehension of a port program. They use technology which allows poacher in open water can even them to listen in on the radio frequen- imperil the inspectors’ lives. When Anatoly Astafyev is the Director of cies of the zapovednik and other pursued, poachers perform sudden Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik. enforcement organizations; they also maneuvers that can result in collisions have informers on shore who keep that would prove ruinous to the

Although best known for its dense forests and prowling tigers, Sikhote-Alinsky Zapovednik also protects important coastal and marine areas. Photo by V. Chernyshov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 23 Case Studies Komandorsky Zapovednik: Strengthening Community-Reserve Relations on the Commander Islands

Established: 1993 Protected Area: 3,648,679 hectares, including 3,463,300 hectares of marine zone Buffer Zone: 64,498 hectares (terrestrial); 2,112,900 hectares (marine) General Characteristics: Located on the Commander Islands and in adjacent marine zones of the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean. The territory includes four large islands--Bering, Medniy, Arii Kamen, and Bobrovyie Kamni-- and more than 60 smaller islands. International designations: Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2002.

By Nikolai Pavlov

small archipelago in the far east- Despite good intentions to imple- Aern reaches of the Russian ment the biosphere reserve concept Federation, the Commander Islands and to establish close and productive lie off the east coast of Kamchatka. ties with the community, a series of They form the westernmost extent of missteps and challenges thwarted Alaska’s volcanic chain of Aleutian these efforts. The new reserve was Islands, and share many traits in com- created at a time when political and mon with these islands. economic conditions in Russia were Komandorsky Zapovednik has an destabilized and when financial sup- unusual history, as it is the only port for the protected areas system Russian zapovednik which was ini- was on the wane. The zapovednik tially planned as a biosphere reserve. also had to contend with the com- The concept of a biosphere reserve is plexities brought about by not actual- based on a zoning scheme that The community of Nikolskoye on Bering ly having an office on the islands, but includes a core, strictly protected ter- Island is home to 800 residents, including rather a two hour flight away in ritory, but which also allows some approximately 300 people of Aleut origin. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, on the human and nature use activities to Photo by N. Pavlov. mainland. Chronic personnel prob- occur – a principle not generally pro- moted by the zapovednik mission. As a biosphere reserve, Komandorsky Zapovednik has a complex system of zoning. Map by M. Plans to establish the zapovednik on Dubinin. the Commander Islands more than ten years ago initially enjoyed support among most of Bering Island’s approximately 800 residents. Numerous public hearings and dis- cussions convinced people that the reserve would be to their benefit. They were led to believe that the establishment of Komandorsky Zapovednik would bring an influx of federal investment to the community, that new jobs would be created, and that interesting and knowledgeable specialists would be drawn to the islands. They believed that life might become better, richer, and happier. And it was based on this belief that the island’s main local government structure, the Council of People’s Deputies of the Aleutsky District, offi- cially endorsed the reserve’s creation on June 29, 1993.

24 Russian Conservation News Case Studies lems also plagued the reserve. Inspectors periodically violated the zapovednik’s protection regime or drank on duty, while other staff spoke disparagingly of the reserve and its management in public. These and other problems created mistrust of the reserve within the community. Yet, the zapovednik’s official designa- tion as a biosphere reserve in 2002 requires us to direct closer attention to how this vision might at last be realized.

Enhancing the Reserve’s Public Image To counter negative public opinion and to restore its image in the eyes of the community, the zapovednik must clearly demonstrate that it has an important role to play, and that col- laboration and cooperation with the reserve serves a common purpose. One arena in which trust can be re- established is the management of the natural resources within and around the nature reserve. For example, one Komandorsky Zapovednik is playing an important role in supporting the increased visita- resource of concern for the residents tion to the islands by ecological tourists and researchers. Photo by N. Pavlov. of Bering Island is the salmon, a key part of the food chain for the consequences for them, as well as the provisions that are consistently vio- zapovednik wildlife. Local people nature reserve’s wildlife. lated. For instance, many residents of rely on the fishery for subsistence, Nikolskoye visit the reserve’s Bering while some commercial harvesting The reserve should also consider re- Island territory without first obtain- does take place. To ensure proper examining some of its current poli- ing official permission. It has never management of the fish stock, this cies and procedures, particularly been a goal for the zapovednik to year, a zapovednik inspector was sta- those governing the local communi- strictly limit the local population’s tioned for the entire season at a fish- ty’s access to the reserve. Current reg- movement around the island, nor is ing area on the Gladkovskaya River ulations require that any person this realistically practicable. The on Bering Island, where he moni- wishing to visit the zapovednik first reserve should therefore closely tored a local fishing enterprise’s ful- receive officially documented permis- examine this and other similar fillment of their quota. The commu- sion to do so. While many residents restrictions, to determine whether nity appreciated the zapovednik’s do try to observe the zapovednik’s they are indeed reasonable and sup- efforts to control the harvest, know- requirements regarding visitation and portable in a regulatory sense; if so, ing that overfishing will have adverse nature use, there are a number of then the reserve should conduct

The Commander Islands are an important breeding site for the Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus). Photo by N. Pavlov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 25 Case Studies

Matveya Cape, on Medniy Island. Photo by N. Pavlov. active outreach to the community to It has also established successful col- maintained by all zapovedniks, they explain the restrictions and the rea- laboration with two universities in are nevertheless valuable, and should sons for them. Only then will the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, through be leveraged by the reserve. For reserve establish real enforcement of which, with support from World example, these observations might the rules. Wildlife Fund (WWF), it has hosted also be incorporated into global students conducting summer field inventory and monitoring programs. It is also of utmost importance that work. This arrangement benefits both the reserve address personnel issues the students and the zapovednik, and Active work with children and youth and strengthen staff capacity. By the the reserve is hopeful that the timely in the community is another priority end of the year, the reserve’s adminis- orientation of future graduates to area. Possible activities include sup- tration will conduct a full staff review work at the reserve might help plementing school studies, adminis- and those individuals whose qualifi- address staffing issues in the long tering summertime ethno-ecological cations and abilities do not corre- term. camps, involving children in the spond with the requirements of their zapovednik’s scientific research activ- positions will be let go. The reserve Implementing Meaningful Activities ities, promoting the study of the Aleut will also endeavor to offer expanded that Engage and Benefit the Public language, and mastering traditional professional development opportuni- Komandorsky Zapovednik plans to handicrafts and other creative activi- ties to remaining staff, such as free work with the community to incor- ties. Together with the administration transportation to the mainland for porate local, traditional knowledge of Nikolskoye, as well as the local participation in conferences, semi- and observations of nature into the Regional Studies Museum, the nars, and instructional courses, as reserve’s scientific work and monitor- zapovednik participated in the well as for periodic medical check- ing activities. Many of the local peo- administration of a children’s ethno- ups. Because many of its thirty posi- ple have lived on the island their ecological camp during the summer tions remain unfilled, the reserve is entire lives, and have benefited from of 2004. During the camp, local resi- also working to attract new staff -- the knowledge and experience of dents led children on hikes around both local and non-local -- to its their ancestors. They know the terri- the islands, including on the ranks. The local administration has tory and the species inhabiting it, bet- zapovednik’s territory. The children also committed to the effort, pledg- ter than many scientists and acquired experience observing nature ing to provide housing and other researchers who come to the islands and natural processes and also devel- material support to new staff. The with little experience working or oped valuable orienteering skills. reserve has already conducted inter- actually living there. Although their views with a number of young spe- observations may be qualitatively dif- The development of ecological cialists who are prepared to relocate ferent than those generally incorpo- tourism on the Commander Islands is to the Commander Islands for work. rated into the Chronicles of Nature also in the zapovednik’s plans for the

26 Russian Conservation News Case Studies future. Local residents would be have also involved specialists from zapovednik staff and local communi- involved in all aspects of work with various international organizations in ty member the opportunity to share tourists. There are plans to support collaborative planning work. In the experiences with various overseas the local folklore ensemble, to spring of 2004, at a workshop held in colleagues, including those from the involve guides from the local com- Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife munity, and to utilize the transporta- zapovednik staff; Russian scientists; Refuge on Alaska’s Pribilof Islands. tion and accommodations resources representatives from the Audubon of the local community. The Society of Alaska, WWF, the US Fish & Much work lies ahead, but zapovednik plans to actively partici- Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Komandorsky Zapovednik has pate in the restoration of traditional Russian nature conservation organi- already established collegial and pro- handicrafts of the local community zations worked to develop a plan of ductive ties with many local commu- and to promote the sale of souvenir prospective activities in this direc- nity leaders and organizations, as well items such as through the organiza- tion, together with participation by as international partners, and hopes tion of exhibits, and the equipment local community members. A follow- now are greater than ever, that com- of special displays. on meeting, which will be dedicated munity-reserve relations will to a discussion of community-reserve improve, and common goals for this Leveraging International Experience relations on the Commander Islands, unique territory will be achieved. Understanding the complexities of is planned for January 2005. The improving reserve-community rela- meeting, which will be organized Nikolai Pavlov is the Director of tions, the zapovednik’s administra- with support from the Audubon Komandorsky Zapovednik. tion and staff have begun studying Society, WWF, and the USFWS will foreign experience in this field. They take place in Alaska and will offer

Sergei Pasenyuk. Photo by T. I. Van Pelt. Full moon over Peregrebnaya Bay on Bering Island. Artwork by S. Pasenyuk.

An Artist and Adventurer on the Commander Islands and at Sea Russian Conservation News is grateful for the opportunity to publish the work of Sergei Pasenyuk in this special issue devoted to Russia’s marine protected areas. For more than thirty years, Mr. Pasenyuk has lived on the Commander Islands, where his artistic talents and adventurous spirit have been quite at home. An avid mariner, he has circumnavi- gated the Commander Islands many times, and has also sailed elsewhere in the Bering Sea region, including to Chukotka and Alaska. His depictions of the Commanders Islands, of their natural landscapes, and of the local commu- nity’s interactions with them, capture well the stark beauty of this remote region.

Summer 2004, No. 36 27 Case Studies Lazovsky Zapovednik: Working to Create a Marine Buffer Zone

Established: 1935 Protected Area: 120,998 hectares; includes coastal areas, but not marine waters. Buffer Zone: 15,978 (terrestrial). General Characteristics: Located in southern Primorsky Krai (Region), in the Russian Far East, in the southern spurs of Sikhote-Alin Mountain Range. The reserve’s southeastern border lies along the coast of the Sea of Japan.

By Sergei Khokhryakov

mong Lazovsky Zapovednik’s Yet, despite its high Aextremely rich assemblage of biodiversity value, flora and fauna, the most biologically the marine area diverse and productive communities bordering the can be found in the zapovednik’s zapovednik does coastal territories, which are com- not have protected prised of a thirty-six-kilometer-long status. Poachers on coastal strip along the Sea of Japan, small ships and the coasts of two nearby islands. anchored just off the It is here that the largest remaining zapovednik’s shores freely group (approximately 600 individu- harvest sea urchin, sea- als) of a rare, endemic goat-like cucumber (Stichopus species, the Amur Goral japonicus) scallops, octopus, (Nemorhaedus goral Hardwicke), can mussels, and common be found. The territory also supports whelk (Buccinum undatum). a core native population of the Much of the zapovednik’s endangered Sika deer (Cervus nip- coastal territory is nestled at pon), as well as numerous predator the foot of steep cliffs, and species, including, most notably, the though inaccessible by land, Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). is highly accessible from the Colonies of seabirds, including sea. Violators disembark on Temminck’s cormorant the zapovednik’s shores, (Phalacrocorax capillatus), specta- where they set up campsites; cled guillemot (Cepphus carbo), and gather wild plants; and hunt the Pacific swift (Apus pacificus for Amur goral, spotted deer, Latham), among others, are concen- and Himalayan bear. Every Lazovsky Zapovednik. trated in the coastal zone; and valu- year, dozens of these viola- Map by M. Dubinin. able salmon species spawn in the tions occur in and from the zapovednik’s rivers. marine area bordering the zapoved- incidence increases. nik, and with each passing year, their To address these problems, conserva- tionists advocate the creation of a marine buffer zone surrounding the zapovednik’s territory. The establish- ment of a one-kilometer-wide zone, totaling 3,300 hectares in area, would help to protect and restore the shal- low marine shelf ecosystem of the southeastern Primorsky Coast. It would also support the region’s over- all ecological balance and help to improve the conservation status of flora and fauna in the coastal part of the territory. Furthermore, creation of a marine buffer zone would also facil- itate expanded opportunities for The yet unprotected waters along the shores of Lazovsky Zapovednik are an invitation to research and monitoring, which is a poachers, who access the reserve’s territory from the sea. Photo by S. Khokhryakov. priority interest for the zapovednik,

28 Russian Conservation News Case Studies as its adjacent marine zone was last and social reforms and financial also exists on the regional level, regularly monitored in the 1950s. The upheaval. Conservationists refocused where the Primorsky Fisheries zapovednik is also interested in the efforts on creating a one-kilometer- Production Company benefits a buffer zone might bring to wide marine buffer zone along the (Primorrybprom), also a water user, its environmental education and eco- zapovednik’s territory, but even this shares the views of the logical tourism programs. less restrictive regime was not accept- Preobrazhenskaya Trawling Fleet Incorporating the marine zone into able to regional decision makers. One Base. the zapovednik’s territory is expected of the primary obstacles in establish- to attract additional partners and ing the buffer zone has been the Considering these failures on the sponsors interested in helping to requirements stipulated by a piece of local and regional levels, conserva- realize some of the reserve’s future regional legislation drafted in 1995, tionists believe that Lazovsky plans such as restoring marine pro- “On Specially Protected Natural Areas Zapovednik’s marine buffer zone will tection infrastructure damaged by of Primorsky Region.” Among its be created only with intervention poachers, creating a special marine other provisions, this law determines from the federal level. Protected area inspection service, and establishing a the procedures for creating, within managers brought the shortcomings children’s scuba diving center. Primorsky Region, new specially pro- of the current process to the atten- tected natural territories and their tion of federal-level decision makers Efforts to create a marine buffer zone buffer zones. The prescribed bureau- in a May 19, 2004, meeting with along the zapovednik’s terrestrial cratic mechanism for this is extreme- Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the borders date back to the early 1980s. ly complex and requires that any pro- Federation Council (Upper House) of Many different agencies, organiza- posal receive consent from local and the Federal Assembly of the Russian tions, and individuals have supported regional land and water users prior to Federation. During the meeting, the initiative over the years, including approval. which broadly addressed strategies the Primorsky Region Committee for for improving the country’s protected Environmental Protection, and later When, in 1996, Lazovsky Zapovednik area system, reserve managers dis- its successor organ, the Main submitted its first proposal to cussed the importance of clarifying Department for Natural Resources for Primorsky Region’s Committee for the federal legislation that governs the Primorsky Region; the Marine Natural Resources to create a marine the creation of buffer zones around Ecofund; the Far Eastern Branch of buffer zone, none of the more than zapovedniks. They suggested estab- the World Wide Fund for Nature ten various organizations and com- lishing clear deadlines, by which local (WWF); The Institute of Marine panies which then constituted the authorities are required to establish Biology within the Far Eastern region’s water users gave their such buffer zones; they also recom- Branch of the Russian Academy of approval. Although this group of mended developing and approving Sciences; and the renowned Russian water users has since decreased from guidelines for the minimum size and academic A.E. Zhurmundsky. many small organizations to one recommended nature use regimes of large organization, the such territories. These and many other supporters Preobrazhenskaya Trawling Fleet were offered some hope in late 1992, Base, its stance remains the same. Representative Mironov responded when the Primorsky Region Each time this company’s Board of positively to these suggestions, and Committee for People’s Deputies Directors is presented with the issue conservationists are hopeful that his adopted the “Long-term Program for of creating a marine buffer zone off support might finally propel the Nature Protection and the Lazovsky Zapovednik, it has consis- process forward. Sustainable Use of Natural Resources tently given the zapovednik the same in Primorsky Region through 2005.” discouraging answer: “the proposed Sergei Khokhryakov is Deputy (henceforth, Primorsky Ecological protected regime would violate our Director for Environmental Education Plan). This 300-page-long document, rights as a water user.” Opposition at Lazovsky Zapovednik. which essentially laid out the region’s long term nature conservation strate- gy, incorporated the goal “to create along the marine border of Lazovsky Zapovednik a one-kilometer-wide protected marine zone (with a total area of 3,300 hectares) and a one- kilometer-wide marine buffer zone (with a total area of 3,300 hectares) with a limited regime of nature use.”

Within a year, however, the Primorsky Ecological Plan was all but forgotten amidst widespread political The northern shore of Lazovsky Zapovednik. Photo by S. Khokhryakov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 29 Case Studies Kurshskaya Kosa National Park: Preserving World Heritage on the Baltic Sea

Established: 1987 Protected Area: 6,621 hectares; includes coastal areas, but not marine waters. General Characteristics: The national park is located in Russia’s Kaliningrad Region, where it occupies the southern part of the Curonian Spit, a sand dune peninsula along the southern shore of the Baltic Sea. International Designations: Together with the Lithuanian national park located on the northern part of the Curonian Spit, Kurshskaya Kosa National Park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

By Uli Graebener

A note from the editors: Kurshskaya Kosa National Park is one of several Russian protected areas that include coastal territories but not the marine waters washing their shores. Although the reserve does not encompass the marine environ- ment of the Baltic Sea, it nevertheless plays an important role in the protection, understanding, and enjoyment of the region’s marine and cultural heritage. Together with the Lithuanian national park to its north, which does include a sub- stantial marine zone, the Russian reserve helps to protect the Curonian Spit, a long sand dune peninsula that extends out into the Baltic Sea. An overview of this unique territory, and the reserves working to protect it, highlights the importance of international cooperation in preserving shared marine and coastal environments.

pproximately ninety-eight kilo- way to the east. Ameters in length, the Curonian With the disinte- Spit is the largest of a series of spits gration of the along the southern shore of the Baltic Soviet Union, the Sea. Its formation dates back some spit became an 5,000 years, when sediment carried international ter- along the coast by the wind and tide ritory, shared was deposited to link several islands between the and block the bay. The same powerful Russian forces that created this narrow strip Federation in the of sand, the wind and the tide, have west and also long threatened its very exis- Lithuania in the tence, as their strength and might is east. wearing away the spit’s delicate sandy surfaces. In recent centuries, however, Situated along an human intervention has helped to important bird stabilize the spit through numerous migration route, reforestation and sand dune restora- the Curonian Spit tion projects. and Curonian Lagoon are The spit has a vivid history of human important for inhabitation. Several different peo- bird conservation Kurshskaya Kosa National Park. Map by M. Dubinin. ples, including the Lithuanians and and ornithological Wilhelm I in the early eighteenth Prussians, have dominated the penin- science. In 1901, the local priest century to protect game. The strict sula over the centuries, their interest Johannes Thienemann established an forest management regime that the in this narrow strip of sand attributa- ornithological station near the village Prussians introduced, and which was ble to its importance as a transporta- Rybachi. The station is still used and later maintained by the Soviet Union, tion corridor to the historic cities of researchers working there ring an helped to preserve the spit’s forests in Memel (today called Kleipeda, and average of 2,000-3,000 birds daily a close to natural state. In 1967, parts located just opposite the spit’s nar- during the migration season. Among of the spit were given protection row tip on the territory of Lithuania), all ornithological stations worldwide, within zakazniks, or special purpose Revel (today Riga, in Latvia), and the Curonian Spit station has the preserves, and then in 1987, a nation- Russia. From the seventeenth century, longest history of observation and al park was established on the postal service operated regularly recordkeeping. Kaliningrad side of the spit. In 1991, between the cities of Konigsberg Lithuania followed suit by creating a (now called Kaliningrad) and Memel The peninsula’s first protected natu- national park on its territory, Kursiu via the spit. For this and other rea- ral area was a sanctuary established Nerija National Park. While the sons, the spit was regarded as a door- by the Prussians under King Friedrich

30 Russian Conservation News Case Studies

Lithuanian park includes a consider- able marine zone (approximately 12,500 hectares of the Baltic Sea and 4,200 hectares of the Curonian Lagoon), the national park on Russian territory is restricted to the terrestrial territory of the peninsula.

Despite the fact that the two national parks are situated on the territory of two different sovereign countries, they have understood the necessity to work together to conserve the spit as a whole. They managed to establish a good working relationship and have implemented several joint conserva- The Curonian Spit extends into the Baltic Sea. tion projects. In 2001, the two sites Photo by G. Teplyakov and V. Kantor (Greenpeace-Russia). jointly published an atlas that identi- fies and classifies environmentally inhabitants of the Lithuanian part of tion operations. For this reason, sensitive zones of both the the spit fear that an oil spill might Lithuanian authorities requested Lithuanian and Russian parts of the seriously impact or even destroy their involvement by an independent Curonian Spit. In an effort of exem- two major sources of income, tourism international expert; it has been pro- plary collaboration, the two countries and fishing, Russians from the posed that relevant experts from the jointly nominated the entire Kaliningrad Region view the project United Nations Environmental Curonian Spit to the UNESCO list of as a potential engine for economic Programme (UNEP) serve as neutral World Heritage Sites in 2000. Later development in their stagnating advisors. The issue was discussed that same year, the World Heritage region. again during this year’s meeting of Committee inscribed the site as a cul- the World Heritage Committee, but tural landscape, based on its being an In light of this situation, the World the Committee’s recommendations outstanding example of a sand dune Heritage Committee requested in will be made public only later this landscape that is under constant 2003 that an expert mission be year. threat from natural forces. organized to both states to facilitate collaboration between Russian and This conflict demonstrates an impor- Not long after its inscription, howev- Lithuanian authorities and also to tant difference between the Curonian er, the site became an object of inter- facilitate the open exchange of rele- Spit’s two protected areas and high- national dispute. The cause of the vant information. To ensure the con- lights a flaw in the zoning of the conflict was a project undertaken by servation of the World Heritage prop- national park on the Russian side. the Russian company Lukoil to erty, the Committee advised that oil The Lithuanian national park is con- exploit the D-6 oilfield, which is production should not commence cerned about an oil spill because its located just 20 kilometers off the until after a joint Environmental territory includes marine environ- Curonian Spit on Russian territory; Impact Assessment has been con- ment. The Russian national park’s the company has already constructed ducted and a joint work plan for pre- authority is limited to terrestrial areas, a platform and pipeline to the shore. vention and mitigation measures has but it should be equally concerned been prepared. about the surrounding waters. With With the oil well located just a few such close interactions between land kilometers from the maritime border, Late last year, a working group organ- and sea, it should be clear to everyone environmentalists and the Lithuanian ized by the Lithuanian prime minister that any oil spill in the spit’s marine public in general fear the negative to determine the safety of the D-6 oil waters will greatly affect all of this impact of possible oils spills. It is field development project met with narrow strip of land and its inhabi- expected that any oil spill would Lukoil officials in Kaliningrad. tants. reach the coast within several hours Members of the working group were and, due to prevailing winds from the given the opportunity to examine the Uli Graebener, former Science west, would first and foremost affect project’s technical details as well as its Specialist of the UNESCO Moscow the Lithuanian coast. On a number of Environment Impact Assessment. Office, is currently working as a con- different occasions, Lithuanian offi- While the Lithuanian working group sultant for the Frankfurt based cials have claimed that several impor- concluded that the Russian side had Institute for Rural Development tant project documents, including, employed all the latest technology in Research. He lives in Moscow and among others, the environmental its activities, it nevertheless felt focuses his work on environment and impact assessment, have not been unable to judge the quality and development issues of the countries of made accessible to them. While the impacts of the Russian oil exploita- Central and Eastern Europe.

Summer 2004, No. 36 31 Case Studies Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik: How Effective are our MPAs? Russia’s First Marine Protected Area Looks for Answers

Established: 1978 Protected Area: 64,316 hectares, including 63,000 hectares of marine zone. Buffer Zone: 1,831 hectares (terrestrial); 86,350 hectares (marine) General Characteristics: Occupies approximately 10% of Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan. The territory also includes 12 small islands, as well as mainland coastal territories in Primorsky Territory’s Khasansky District. International Designations: Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2003.

By Vassily Spiridonov

alnevostochny Morskoi One of the prod- DZapovednik (or Far Eastern ucts of this initia- Marine Nature Reserve), located not tive was the publi- far from Vladivostok in the Russian cation of a guide- Far East, recently participated in a book called “How globally recognized effort to improve is your MPA the management of the world’s Doing? A marine protected areas. A joint proj- Guidebook of ect of The World Conservation Natural and Social Union’s (IUCN) World Commission Indicators for on Protected Areas (WCPA), the Evaluating Marine World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Protected Area and the National Ocean Service, Management National Oceanic and Atmospheric Effectiveness.” The Administration (NOS/NOAA) of the guidebook, pub- US, this effort, the MPA Management lished earlier this Effectiveness Initiative, is aimed at year by IUCN, and developing new, practical methods available online at for assessing the effectiveness of http://www.effec- marine protected areas and at exam- tivempa.noaa.gov ining their capacity for adaptive man- /guidebook/ agement. guidebook.html, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik. Map by M. Dubinin. offers marine pro- tected area managers a step-by-step process for evaluating the effective- ness of their work and their site. Before the process and guidebook were finalized, however, a working draft was field tested by eighteen marine protected areas around the world, including Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik. Not only was the reserve the only Russian protect- ed area to take part in this important project, but it was also one of the few MPAs participating in the study that was located outside of the tropics.

As a pilot site, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik conducted a management evaluation using the One of many small coves protected within Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik. process outlined in the draft guide- Photo by V. Elpatyevskaya, courtesy of the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ROLL book. Central to this process was the Program). zapovednik’s selection, measurement,

32 Russian Conservation News Case Studies and analysis of a set of indicators. Evaluation of these biological indica- These indicators represented three tors demonstrated that focal species broad performance categories— bio- and communities are sufficiently sta- physical, socioeconomic, and gover- ble, and that their favorable status nance— and corresponded with the may be attributed to the reserve’s reserve’s overall goals and objectives. protection regime. The largha seal The reserve’s successful experience population, for instance, numbers using the indicators demonstrates 960 individuals and is concentrated their utility, and speaks to the impor- primarily within the zapovednik’s ter- tance of other zapovedniks incorpo- ritory. Sea cucumber density is rating similar evaluation practices. noticeably higher in the zapovednik’s core zone than it is elsewhere in the In the biophysical category, reserve, which likely reflects the diffi- Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik culty poachers encounter in access- selected and measured four indica- ing populations located in the As a pilot site in the MPA Management tors. For the first indicator, “Focal reserve’s interior. It may also be sur- Effectiveness Initiative, Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik selected, tested, and species abundance,” the reserve con- mised that without the zapovednik’s measured a number of indicators, includ- centrated efforts on monitoring the protection regime, the scallop popu- ing the abundance and population struc- spotted (Largha) seal (Phoca largha), lation would have declined long ago ture of focal species such as the spotted which inhabits the coastal zones of due to illegal harvest. The stable sta- (Largha) seal (Phoca largha). the reserve’s small islands; colonial tus of sea bird colonies may also be Photo by G. Mazmaniants. nesting birds, which inhabit the considered a success of the protec- reserve’s mainland territory, and ben- tion regime. ed a weakness in the reserve’s educa- thic invertebrates including the sea tional outreach activities. cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), In the socioeconomic category, Japanese scallop (Mizuchopecten Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik To the socioeconomic category, yessoensis), Gray’s mussel selected and measured three indica- Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik (Crenomytilus grayanus), and gray sea tors from the list of those presented also introduced two of its own indi- urchin (Strongylocentrotus inter- in the draft guidebook. For the first cators, which it felt would be reflec- medius). For the second indicator, two indicators, “Perceptions of non- tive of local social and economic “Focal species’ population structure,” market and non-use value,” partici- conditions. For the first, the reserve studied the population pants surveyed local residents, “Involvement of local people in sus- structures of the spotted (Largha) seal tourists, and visitors to the zapoved- tainable business development in and scallop. In measuring for the nik’s educational center on Popov areas adjacent to the reserve,” the third indicator, “Community compo- Island zapovednik about their per- zapovednik analyzed employment sition and structure,” zapovednik sci- ceptions of the non-market values of trends in the local aquaculture and entists gathered data on three main the reserve. However, because the tourism industries. Analysis of territo- types of hard-bottom benthic com- questionnaires that were distributed ries neighboring the zapovednik munities. For the final biophysical were prepared without participation showed that almost sixty people are indicator, “Water quality,” researchers of a qualified sociologist or social involved in aquaculture on a full time from Far Eastern State University in anthropologist, there were difficulties basis, while approximately 150 others Vladivostok took water samples to in obtaining a representative sam- are involved in the industry on a sea- test for persistent organic pollutants pling and analyzing the results. For sonal basis. In the same region, (POPs) and heavy metals. the third indicator, “Distribution of almost forty people are employed full formal knowledge to the communi- time in the tourism industry; among ty,” zapovednik staff polled reserve their ranks are the staff of visitors about the quality of scientific Vladivostok-based tourist bureaus information they receive from and two nearby scuba diving centers. zapovednik staff, particularly about In addition, rough estimates suggest threats to Peter the Great Bay and the that nearly 1,500 people are involved reserve’s role in mitigating them. in the tourism industry on a seasonal Analysis of the results demonstrated basis, mostly through provision of that the level of trust among local food and accommodations to residents was not very high, with only tourists. 55% expressing moderate trust in the information provided by the The second new indicator, “Non- The reserve also measured the abundance zapovednik, and 35% expressing lim- authorized visitation,” was used to of the sea cucumber (Stichopus ited trust. Trust levels among other measure the level of awareness about, japonicus), another focal species. groups surveyed were shown to be and compliance with, the reserve’s Artwork by M. Troitskaya. higher, but still, these results suggest- regulations among local residents. In

Summer 2004, No. 36 33 Case Studies

of stakeholders trained in sustainable use.” The most notable findings with- in this category were related to staffing levels and preparedness. A particular weakness was identified in the availability of surveillance and enforcement staff; understaffing in these positions was attributed to low salaries, staff drain, and low morale. Also determined to be insufficient was the number of people receiving qualified consultation from zapoved- nik staff on questions related to the sustainable use of natural resources. In 2002, zapovednik staff provided consultation to twenty-five people interested in developing tourism or aquaculture in the region surround- ing the zapovednik; while this was considered to be low, better results may require implementation of a spe- cialized program.

For managers at Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik, participation in this initiative was a unique opportu- nity. Prior to their involvement in the project, the reserve did not have any established criteria or indicators with which to evaluate management effec- tiveness, nor had zapovednik staff ever collected and analyzed data which measured, to such a great extent, all aspects of the reserve’s activities. The evaluation helped managers at Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik identify shortcomings in the reserve’s current activities, for example in its outreach work with local communities, or in its efforts to promote and support sustainable development initiatives in adjacent territories. Through their involve- ment, reserve mangers also recog- nized the urgent need to establish a comprehensive, long-term manage- The local community is also actively involved in aquaculture. Here, local residents release ment plan for the reserve, which young scallops back into the Sea of Japan. © WWF-Russia. takes into account the results and les- sons learned from this evaluation. 2000, zapovednik staff identified sive picture of enforcement in the eight-six unauthorized visitors to the nature reserve. Vassily Spiridonov is the reserve, while in 2002 that number Coordinator of Marine Programs for increased to 102. In addition to In the governance category, the Russia Programme Office of the measuring one aspect of public Dalnevostochny Morskoi Zapovednik World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). awareness, this indicator also helps to measured four indicators: “Existence He also participated in the pilot site gauge the effectiveness of control and adoption of a management review at Dalnevostochny Morskoi and protection at the reserve, and plan;” “Existence of a decision-mak- Zapovednik. could be used in conjunction with ing and management body;” other, more governance-oriented “Availability and allocation of admin- indicators to provide a comprehen- istrative resources;” and “Proportion

34 Russian Conservation News The Future Plans for the Future

Expanding Russia’s System of Marine Protected Areas

Compiled by RCN Editors, using materials provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Federal Level Marine Protected Areas Proposed for Creation by 2010

Map by M. Dubinin.

n its latest ten-year plan for the Russia’s most productive seas — are Russia, and little has been done under Idevelopment of the country’s sys- planned to encompass a variety of President Putin to advance the pro- tem of protected nature areas, marine environments, biological tected areas system in general. Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources diversity, and biological processes. Nevertheless, conservationists in proposed the creation of nine new Russia and abroad remain hopeful zapovedniks and twelve new national While their proposed creation that plans to establish these reserves parks by the year 2010. Of these demonstrates that marine protected will eventually be realized. Russian twenty-one planned protected areas, areas do have a place in Russia’s long Conservation News shares this hope five include substantial marine zones. term nature conservation planning and is pleased to acquaint you with These prospective marine protected efforts, there is still no government- the five candidate marine areas slated areas — one zapovednik and four level strategy to create a formalized for protection. national parks, located in five of system of marine protected areas in

Summer 2004, No. 36 35 The Future

Beringia National Park (proposed for creation by 2006) Proposed Area: more than 3,000,000 hectares, including marine area General Characteristics: Located in the Chukotsky and Providensky Districts of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and includes parts of the marine zone of the Bering Sea. Beringia National Park is planned to preserve the unique cultures of the indigenous Chukchi and Eskimo peoples; to protect the natural condition of the delicate Chukotkan landscape; and to conserve the region’s biological diversity. The park’s coastal territory provides important nesting habitat for seabirds, while rare migratory waterfowl such as the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), snow goose (Anser caerulescens), and emperor goose (Philacte canagica) nest fur- ther inland. The region is also critically important to marine mammals including the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), wal- rus (Odobenus rosmarus), bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), gray whale (Eschrichtius gib- bosus), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The proposed national park includes important historical-cultural objects like “Whalebone Alley,” an architectural monument built almost 500 years ago out of whale bones. Much of the territory proposed for inclusion in Beringia National Park is currently designated as a regional-level nature-ethnic park, established in 1993. Beringia National Park was initially envisioned to be the Russian part of an international park, combined with existing areas on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula. A variety of political factors seems to have stymied movement toward that vision, despite an agreement in 1988 between Presidents George H. W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev to create this international park.

Ingermanlandsky Zapovednik (proposed for creation by 2006) Proposed Area: 13,433 hectares, including 12,520 hectares of marine area. General Characteristics: Located in Leningrad Oblast on islands on the border of Vyborg and Kingiseppsky Districts and in the adjacent marine areas of the eastern Gulf of Finland, in the Baltic Sea. Ingermanlandsky Zapovednik is planned to preserve the model island natural complexes of the eastern Baltic Sea. The reserve will protect the spawning and feeding grounds of a number of important fish species found in the Gulf of Finland such as Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras), smelt (Osmerus sp.), bream (Abramis sp.), and eelpout (Zoarces sp.). Waterfowl and shorebirds nest en masse in the area of the prospective reserve. Among the 120 bird species that are registered here, a number are considered rare, including the black-throated diver (Gavia arctica), eared greb (Podiceps caspicus), mute swan (Cygnus olor), grey goose (Anser anser), scoter (Melanitta sp.), common eider (Somateria mollissima), catcher (Haematopus sp.), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), and guillemot (Cepphus sp.). The planned zapovednik will also protect breeding habitat of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and ringed seal (Phoca hispida).

Onezhskoye Pomorye (Onega Coastline) National Park (proposed for creation by 2006) Proposed Area: 251,272 hectares, including 70,000 hectares of marine area. General Characteristics: Located in Arkhangelsk Oblast, on the northern part of the Onega Peninsula, and in adja- cent areas of Onega Bay, in the White Sea. Onezhskoye Pomorye National Park is planned to protect typical mainland northern taiga and coastal marine land- scapes. Its shoreline and coastal ecosystems are highly biologically diverse and provide habitat for marine mammals including the harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Valuable species of fish such as brown trout (Salmo trutta) and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) spawn in the peninsula’s rivers, while valu- able commercial species, navaga (Eleginus sp.) and herring (Clupea sp.), reproduce in its bays. The territory of the planned national park is also an important stop-over for migratory birds. The Onezhskoye Pomorye region is histori- cally important to the Pomory people, who are descendents of colonists from Novgorod and Nisov, who settled in the region in the twelfth century. The proposed national park would help preserve not only important historical monu- ments, but also the traditional nature use practices of the fishing-based Pomory culture.

Photo by G. Mazmaniants. © WWF-Russia

36 Russian Conservation News The Future

Russkaya Arktika (Russian Arctic) National Park (proposed for creation by 2010) Proposed Area: 5,151,520 hectares, including marine area. General Characteristics: Located in Arkhangelsk Oblast, on parts of the Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya Archipelagos, and including surrounding marine areas of the Barents Sea. The planned national park is located in the high Arctic, where glacial and Arctic desert landscapes dominate. The region provides habitat area for a number of rare species, including the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), harp seal (Histriophoca groen- landica), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), and narwhal (Monodon monoceros). It is also an important area for avifauna and harbors some of the largest seabird colonies in the northern hemisphere. The prospective park will pro- tect a number of historically and culturally significant sites related to the exploration and research of the Arctic. It will incorporate territory currently protected within the federal-level special purpose reserve, Franz-Josef Land Zakaznik.

Shantarskiye Ostrova (Shantar Islands) National Park (proposed for creation by 2006) Proposed Area: 500,000 hectares, including 273,100 hectares of marine area. General Characteristics: Located in Khabarovsk Krai, on islands of the Shantar Archipelago and in the surrounding waters of the southwestern part of the Sea of Okhotsk.

The rugged shores of the Shantar Islands harbor a remarkable diversity of avifauna. More than 200 bird species are registered here, including some, such as Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), black stork (Ciconia nigra), and hooded crane (Grus monachus) that are listed in the Russian Red Data Book. The islands’ sheer cliffs offer important nesting habitat to large colonies of seabirds including the spectacled guillemot (Cepphus carbo), tufted puffin (Lunda cirrhata), horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata), and cormorant (Phalocrocorax sp.). Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), bearded seal (Erginathus barbatus), largha seal (Phoca largha), and ringed seal (Phoca hispida) inhabit the waters surrounding the islands, which are also an important sum- mer feeding ground for the endangered bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus).

WWF-Russia and MPA Planning

While Russian conservationists and conservation organi- zations certainly celebrated the Ministry’s plans to create this group of new reserves, many have an even broader vision for the expansion of Russia’s protected area system and for the creation of new marine protected areas. The Russian Programme Office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Russia), for instance, has compiled an extensive list of almost thirty candidate marine areas slat- ed for protection in the future. WWF-Russia selected these sites for their representativeness; for the presence of unique natural complexes and biological features; and for their social, cultural, and economic significance. They are envisioned as important links in the creation of a marine ecological network that will span Russia’s seas. In August 2003, WWF-Russia published a map of these proposed sites, an English-language version of which is available on the organization’s website at: http://www.wwf.ru/resources/publ/book/eng/53/.

Photo by A. Ratnikov. © WWF-Russia

Summer 2004, No. 36 37 News of the Day News of the Day

Wrangel Island Zapovednik Added to the World Heritage List

Compiled by RCN Editors with assistance from Mikhail Stishov

n July 14, 2004, the UNESCO marine waters of OWorld Heritage Committee the Chukchi Sea. announced that this year’s inscrip- The reserve occu- tions to the World Heritage List pies more than 2.2 would include Wrangel Island Nature million hectares in Reserve. This news was especially total, over 1.4 mil- celebrated by World Wildlife Fund lion of which are (WWF), which had nominated comprised of Wrangel for this designation several marine territory. In years ago. Wrangel Island is included addition, the two as a high priority for conservation by islands are WWF’s Bering Sea Ecoregion surrounded by a Program. It is the first territory in the marine buffer zone Russian Arctic to receive this presti- that extends twen- gious recognition. ty-four nautical miles out into the The reserve, which is located well Chukchi Sea. above the Arctic Circle, is the north- ernmost of all zapovedniks in the The Wrangel Island Russian Far East. It is comprised of site was selected two islands, Wrangel Island and for inscription Herald Island, and the surrounding based on its having Wrangel Island Zapovednik. Map by M. Dubinin.

Wrangel Island is home to the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). © N. Ovsyanikov .

38 Russian Conservation News News of the Day met two of the four selection criteria geographic formations attest to the established for natural heritage prop- territory’s rich natural history, while erties. The World Heritage Committee the distinct behavioral adaptations determined that the site met a key observed in species like the Wrangel criterion for representing significant Island lemming demonstrate that ongoing ecological and biological evolutionary processes continue at processes in the evolution and devel- the site to this day. opment of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and The reserve is also distinguished by communities of plants and animals. the critical importance of its habitats The committee also determined that to many animal species, some of the reserve met another key criterion which are considered rare and Wrangel Island is home to an endemic for selection in that it contains the endangered. Wrangel Island boasts species of Siberian lemming (Lemmus most important and significant natu- the highest density of ancestral polar sibiricus Portenko). ral habitats for in situ conservation of bear dens in the world, with more Artwork by S. Voronkov. biological diversity, including those than 500 females coming ashore to well wishes to the reserve’s entire containing threatened species of out- give birth each year; the island is also staff, whose work is so important to standing universal value from the home to the world’s largest popula- the preservation of this important point of view of science or conserva- tion of Pacific walrus. The largest piece of world heritage. tion. seabird colonies on the Chukchi Sea can be found on the reserve’s islands, Mikhail Stishov is the former Deputy A self-contained island ecosystem, which are the northernmost nesting Director of Scientific Research at Wrangel Island Reserve offers ample ground for as many as 52 migratory Wrangel Island Zapovednik. He evidence of the long evolutionary bird species. The reserve’s marine ter- played an active role, working with processes that have taken place on its ritory is also becoming an increasing- WWF, to prepare the World Heritage territory, uninterrupted by the glacia- ly important feeding ground for Nomination to UNESCO. tion that affected most other regions migrating gray whales. of the Arctic during the Quaternary Note from the editors: For more infor- Period. Numerous endemic plants would like to congratulate the RCN mation and exciting images of this species, the presence of relatively many dedicated individuals who con- high Arctic protected area, please see: recent mammoth tusks and skulls, tributed to the nomination’s prepara- http://www.wild-russia.org/biore- and the variety of terrain types and tion. We would also like to extend gion1/1-wrangel/1_wrangel.htm

A female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and her cubs walk the shore of Wrangel Island. © N. Ovsyanikov.

Summer 2004, No. 36 39 Bulletin Board BULLETIN BOARD

Website on Russia’s Government), and The World Conservation Union (IUCN). Marine Protected Areas Additional information about the Launched event is available on-line at The Russian Office of the World . Marine Protected Areas for Whales, http://www.impacongress.org/ Wide Fund for Nature (WWF- Dolphins and Porpoises Russia) and the Moscow Bureau of (Earthscan, 512pp, $39.95) was New Publication: the United Nations Educational, written by Erich Hoyt, co-director "How is Your Marine Social, and Cultural Organization of the Far East Russia Orca Project Protected Area Doing?” (UNESCO) have announced the and senior research fellow with launch of a new website devoted WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin to Russia’s Marine Protected Areas. Conservation Society. See The Russian-language site is a www.cetaceanhabitat.org or con- comprehensive source of informa- tact tion about Russia’s marine reserves [email protected]. and other protected marine areas. It is designed for both specialists First International and lay audiences interested in marine conservation. The site is Marine Protected Areas available on line at: Congress http://www.marine-reserves.ru Geelong, Australia October 23-27, 2005 New Book on Marine The International Marine Protected Areas Congress is planned as the Protected Areas for first of an ongoing series of regular Cetaceans global conferences that will pro- vide a forum for continuous improvement in methods of estab- lishing and managing marine pro- The guidebook, tected areas. The congress as a How is Your whole will focus on the contribu- Marine Protected Area Doing, pro- tion of marine protected areas in vides a field-tested, step-by-step sustaining marine ecosystems. process for planning and evaluat- Concurrent congress sessions will ing the management effectiveness be planned around the following of MPAs. It lists 42 MPA-specific themes: developing comprehen- indicators that MPA managers can sive and representative marine choose to use for evaluating their protected area networks, ensuring site. The book draws on the work sustainability and resilience, of the MPA Management understanding ecosystem struc- Effectiveness Initiative, shaped by ture and processes, ensuring man- IUCN's World Commission on agement effectiveness of MPAs, Protected Areas (WCPA) - Marine and partnership and benefits. The conference will be hosted by the and World Wildlife Fund for World Commission on Protected Nature (WWF). The David and Areas (WCPA), Parks Victoria, and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Barrier Reef Marine Park the US National Oceanic and Authority (Australian Atmospheric Administration A new book on marine protected Government) and will be support- (NOAA) supported the initiative. areas for cetaceans worldwide ed by the Australian Fisheries The guidebook is available online includes substantial sections on Management Authority, the at: Department of the Environment Russian zapovedniks and parks. http://www.effectivempa.noaa.gov and Heritage (Australian Based on six years of research, /guidebook/guidebook.html

40 Russian Conservation News