The Commander Islands Nature and Biosphere Reserve (CINBR) is the largest marine reserve in Russia.
Many thanks to Anastasia Barsukova, Head of Development Department for CINBR for sharing this report.
The Commander Islands Nature and Biosphere Reserve is situated on the western part of the Commander-Aleutian chain, near Kamchatka peninsula, and incorporates land and marine protected areas. Today more than 3,5 million hectares are under protection, including marine area, which is monitored by satellite system.
For many centuries the islands were an important stopover on migration ways. Due to strong upwelling phenomenon local waters are full of life. 21 species of cetaceans were registered here throughout the history with the most frequent being orcas, humpback whales, sperm whales and Minke whales. Some seabirds stay here all year round, but the majority travels around the world and come to the Commander Islands for breeding. It is a place of unique history and culture, which intertwines with nature.
The CINBR has several important tasks, but they are all united by one main goal – to share our love for the islands. That is why we conduct regular monitoring of local flora and fauna and work together with research institutes for specific insights in the life of the Commanders and how it is changing. We try to collect information about anything from bugs to whales, from modern events to animals and plants, which inhabited the region thousands of years ago.
The collected data are then used by other departments of the CINBR. Some of us work to protect local nature from overuse and unsustainable practices; others share their knowledge with tourists and locals to spark the interest and excitement about this land. We believe that thorough research and open knowledge sharing is the key to successful development in peace with the living world of the Commander Islands.
For more information, visit our web-site or World Network of Islands and Coastal Biosphere Reserve.