The United States and Russia are both interested in signing an agreement on banning commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean, Commissioner David Benton of the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC) said on October 13, 2016.

The members of the Atlantic Council are discussing a binding international agreement that would place a moratorium on commercial fishing in the central part of the Arctic Ocean until the international community has a better scientific understanding of the activity’s environmental impact. “It’s certainly, I think, in Russia’s interest to get that binding agreement. And if they [Russia] will say yes to a binding agreement, I think the United States is willing to do that. It has got to be good for Russia, Canada, and the United States,” Commissioner Benton said.

Last July, five Arctic nations, i.e. Russia, the United States, Norway, Canada, and Denmark, signed a declaration aimed at preventing unregulated commercial fishing in the central part of the Arctic Ocean. The countries also stated that their intent was to establish a joint program of scientific research to improve the understanding of the region’s ecosystems.

While fishing activities are not currently occurring in that area, the declaration serves as a precautionary measure due to climate change and the reduction of Arctic ice.

Commissioner Benton added that there were opportunities for the U.S. and Russia to work together, reminding the journalists that in 2013, the United States and Russia decided to work on a scientific research program in the Chuckchi Sea involving U.S. and Russian research vessels. At that time, the financial resources for the two countries’ collaboration had not been found.

“But it is a really great opportunity for Russia and the United States to enhance our ability to work with each other, to get the scientists working together on a very practical level,” Benton said.

The two-day conference “International Cooperation in the Arctic: New Challenges and Vectors of Development” kicked off on October 12, 2016 in the Russian capital, with expert sessions devoted to the 20th anniversary of the eight-member Arctic Council, comprising Russia, Norway, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.