KAMCHATKA IS THE HEART OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC

North Pacific is the northern part of the Great Pacific Ocean with its coast of Russian Far East, Alaska USA, Pacific Coast of Canada and Japan.

Many years ago fiery chain of volcanoes was connecting these lands and primitive men that settled 15000 years ago on Kamchatka crossed over Bering strait to Aleutian Isl. and American continent and ancient Eskimo people and ancient North America Indians were people from the country of Fiery Mountains of Kamchatka by birth.

There were friendly relations between Kamchadal people and Kuru or Ainu inhabitants of the southern islands. That is why these islands are called Kurilskiye Isl.

The ocean was strong enough after the glaciers melted and it separated these people.

It also connected them again after thousand years.

In 1732 on the boat "St. Gavriil" built by Kamchatka craftsmen, Russian navigators reached and landed on the first Kurilskiye island--Shumshu.

In 1745 Russian industrialist-hunters from Nizhnekamensky stockaded town discovered neighboring Aleutian Isl., i.e. started the history of Russian America. In those years Kurilskiye Isl. were also developing.

Resources of the Ocean are the basis of North Pacific life. Living on the coast of the Great Ocean for thousand years people created unique civilization of hunters for sea animals and fishermen.

 

Vladimir BURKANOV, PhD, Director of the Kamchatrybvod

But it appeared so delicate and defenseless against invasion into the life of northern civilization from another cruel world.

In 60-s of the 20-th century only centers were using for fishing then tons and then thousands and millions of tons...

And now there is no cod in famous Lavinsk fish shoal in Okhotsk Sea, coming to nothing resources of Penzhinsky and Olutorsky herring, Bristolsky flounder and perch, Californian hake, under the threat of disappearing resources of Kamchatkan crab and salmon fish such as King Salmon, Red Salmon, Silver Salmon and Dog Salmon...

People were considered that resources of the ocean are inexhaustible. But unfortunately it was typical mistake. They are inexhaustible only if man compensates nature with its losses, wisely combines rational industry with reproduction, when man respects laws of nature but does not dictate his will.

 

Sergey TIMOSHENKO, Vice governor of Kamchatka Region

Kamchatkan shelf is one of the richest on the planet. Great services to the volcanoes, with their eruptions and tons of ash they fertilize the ocean generously.

Historically, interests of many regions and nationalities are united here on the shelf of Kamchatka peninsula. Russian and Japanese fishermen practically started at the same time catching Kamchatka salmon. In the history of foundation of Russian fish industry on Kamchatka peninsula people from seaside took a big part and still are leading in Kamchatka basin.

That is why in our informational digest "The North Pacific" we would like to reflect variety of connections and relations of the Pacific Ocean coast, its history, ecology, economy and regional politics. On these pages we would like to arise and study problems of the North Pacific to preserve this unique place of our planet with the help of different countries.