The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has blocked commercial fishing in 150,000 square nautical miles of the Bering Strait off the Alaskan coast, in a step meant to protect the area from overfishing.

 

The move has been applauded by conservation groups, who see it as recognition of the essential role played by the Arctic in the equilibrium of our planet. They have been supporting this decision for some time now, after constantly warning about the dangers of large-scale commercial fishing activities in the region, which could disrupt the Arctic ecosystems.

 

Climate change is undoubtedly taking its toll on many parts of our planet, and disequilibrium in the Arctic ecosystems could also create disequilibrium on the rest of our planet. The Arctic is known to play a moderating role in the climate of our planet.

 

Here are some reactions:

 

As goes the Arctic, so goes the planet. We must wake up and recognize that in reality, we are all on thin ice – Jim Ayers, vice president of Oceana, one of the organizations pleading for rational fishing activities in the Arctic Ocean.

 

Today’s decision signals a new day in the Arctic, where science comes first and where we think about the consequences of our actions before we take them -  Janis Searles Jones, vice president of Ocean Conservacy.

 

Protecting our Arctic waters from a rush of commercial development is a wise move. The cumulative effect of commercial fishing and shipping, as well as open-ended oil and gas development could be devastating to this highly fragile system if not done correctly – Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group.