Through a unanimous vote given by the members of a federal fishery panel yesterday, a large part of the Arctic sea will soon be closed for commercial fishing. The initiative is looking to protect the 150,000 square nautical miles which have become more accessible due to the Arctic’s warming climate.

Unexpectedly, the decision is supported by both conservation groups and major players in the industry. “Global climate change is making everyone think differently up here and making them understand that precautionary approaches are best,” said Jim Ayers, a vice president of Oceana, which is an international marine conservation group based in Washington. Mr. Ayers was involved in the negotiation process on this matter over the past several years.

The introduced prohibition prevents commercial fishing in the northern areas of the Arctic sea, from the Bering Strait on, and will remain so until a series of scientific studies will be completed in the area, to determine the impact of warming on the local species. The only ones who are allowed to continue to fish in the area are the indigenous populations.

“Our people are aware that the rate of change in the Arctic is increasing,” explained Mr. David Benton, the executive director of the Marine Conservation Alliance, a group based in Juneau, Alaska, representing the majority of fish harvesters and processors in the area, which is a firm supporter of the new rules. 

The decision is considered a good first step in a much bigger plan that includes an international ban for overfishing in many other areas.