We have a common responsibility for the conservation and rational use of fish stocks. Fish and water know no borders, and we must have the same approach to this problem, keeping in mind that a lot depends on our joint actions. <...> It is time to move from words to action — Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

Humankind must use fish resources very responsibly. The foundation for sustainable, environmentally friendly management of marine resources is collaborative research. Scientific research urges us to make responsible decisions, and it urges our governments to make responsible decisions. The times when people could illegally fish in the ocean have passed. Well-coordinated work and clear liabilities help with that. We must learn to use the sea not just as hunters, but as farmers too — Roy Angelvik, State Secretary for the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Norway.

We must use a careful and conscientious approach towards the development of fisheries, especially in the Arctic. We need to take into account the lessons and the mistakes that we have already made around the world on our way — Scott Highleyman, Vice President, Conservation Policy and Programs, Ocean Conservancy.

Last year, thanks to the efforts of 10 countries – five Arctic and five non-Arctic – a milestone agreement was signed to prevent unregulated fishing in the central Arctic beyond national jurisdictions. Now we are facing an even larger task: to unite the efforts of 10 states in order to create a unified monitoring programme for the central Arctic — Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

Bringing forward education and innovation, as well as cooperation in these areas, is one of the key elements for success of further interaction. Governments should encourage these types of cooperation — Kristjan Thor Juliusson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of Iceland.

It is necessary to develop new mechanisms for cooperation in the central part of the Arctic Ocean; unprecedented conditions were created for developing breakthrough technologies that would cover different areas related to sustainable development of the Arctic region — Joji Morishita, Professor, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

The Arctic is a region where we have been fishing for many years. Norway recovers oil and gas, and the development of the oil and gas sector can create big problems for fish breeding processes <...> As a result of climate change, it is again the time to think about nature — Anton Giaever, Deputy Director, Akvaplan-niva.

Around the world, including the Canadian coast, massive fishing is going on. At this rate, soon there will be no fish. 90% of the big fish – the tuna, the sharks – they are gone from the ocean forever. According to various estimates, 40% to 50% of coral reefs have collapsed, when the lose the coral reefs, we lose the whole foundation of species. The Arctic ecosystem is rich and beautiful, but it is extremely vulnerable and fragile. We need to protect these critical, key habitats in cooperation with Russia and the scientific community — Paul Nicklen, Co-Founder, Director, SeaLegacy.

Climate change primarily affects biology of species and their distribution. We are seeing a major advance of several species to the North: fishermen get good catches of cod and shrimp above 70° or 75° latitudes. Over the past decade, species uncharacteristic of the Barents Sea, primarily the crab, exploded. Populations of red king crab and snow crab have grown over the past decade, which allows for significant commercial catch. This must be taken into account when we talk about the Arctic and the relationship between countries in this important region — Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

We must further rely on renewable energy, including the energy we get from food by managing the system of marine resources. A joint effort is needed for that, and the Fishermen’s Associations have already done and keep doing a lot for this cause — Kjell Ingebrigtsen, Chairman of the Board, Norwegian Fishermen’s Association.

Fishing was historically the biggest industry in Arkhangelsk region, and today we have almost 180 enterprises that are engaged in fishing, about a dozen enterprises that are engaged in fish processing. The total annual production exceeds 140,000 tons. Therefore, we pay a lot of attention to what is going on in terms of fishing, and we are trying to develop, while adopting all the high standards that are in place today. This leads to certain economic and social comfort, as well as increasing tax revenues. All of our fishing enterprises are profitable — Igor Orlov, Governor of Arkhangelsk Region.

Joint scientific research is the basis for economic development and the opportunities that may arise in the Arctic region. The Arctic Agreement establishes international relations in fishing, but one of its most important parts is that it relates to such region as the Arctic, and that is where the role of the indigenous peoples is taken into account. People living in the Arctic have a special relationship with the outside world and with the environment where they live. The international community should think of ways to conduct research that would sustainably benefit the people that live there — David Benton, Commissioner, United States Arctic Research Commission.

Iceland has successful experience of investments in the fishing industry, which lead to sustainable development of the fishing industry. Our management system was designed to maximize the value of these jobs, optimize costs and waste in the industry. We can share this experience with both Russia and other partners in commerce — Kristjan Thor Juliusson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of Iceland.