Western sanctions on Russia won't harm Far East fisheries - expert
YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK. May 16 (Interfax) - The Western and U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia for the Ukrainian situation will have no effect on the fisheries industry of the Russian Far East, including the Sakhalin region, said Sakhalin region vice-premier Sergei Karepkin who is in charge of the fisheries sector.
"We are not expecting any problems or negative implications for the fisheries industry of our region from the Western and U.S. sanctions; they are not our concern so far. I do not see any difficulties," he told Interfax on Friday.
Far Eastern fishermen export sea bio-resources mostly to Southeast Asia, first and foremost, to Japan, South Korea and China, Karepkin continued. He noted they did not have any problems in imports of equipment for the fisheries industry modernization either and most hardware was supplied by the same countries.
"If the sanctions cause any problems in the long run, more sea bio-resources will be supplied to the domestic market. This will play into the hands of our businessmen and the fisheries industry," the vice-premier said.