Russia and Japan agreed on the fishing of algae (brown algae or seaweed) by Japanese fishermen in the uninhabited area of Signalny Island in the Soviet Strait of the Pacific Ocean as part of the Little Kuril Ridge, Wrote Kyodo agency.
According to the agreement between Moscow and Tokyo to harvest the plant, Japan committed to pay Russia 82.54 million yen (about $635,000) in compensation; this is 6 million yen (about 46,000) less than the previous year.
The parties also agreed to reduce the number of ships from 16 to 204 ships. The fishing period is fixed from June 1 to September 30, 2023.
For the first time, the two states agreed to fish for algae in the Signalny Island area in 1963. Japan considers Signalny Island to be part of the Habomai group of islands. Tokyo refers to the end zones as an extension of the coastline of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The Japanese side does not consider Signalny part of the Kuril Islands.
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the second half of January expression the view that the establishment of algae farms would potentially reduce marine pollution in coastal areas.