The North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) announces that Dr. Vladimir Radchenko is taking over the position of executive director.  Dr. Radchenko is an internationally-known scientific expert on Pacific salmon and comes to the Commission from his previous position as deputy director general of the prestigious Pacific Research Fisheries Center (TINRO-Center) in Vladivostok, Russia.

Dr. Radchenko replaces Vladimir Fedorenko who recently retired following a long and distinguished career in international fisheries and economic relations.  Fedorenko’s involvement with NPAFC spanned more than 20 years and included multiple roles in the organization including convention negotiator, Russian representative, and 14 years as its executive director. 

As Dr. Radchenko settles into life in Vancouver he looks forward to bringing his perspectives and leadership skills to NPAFC.  “There are many important goals ahead for the Commission” said Dr. Radchenko,  “including working toward improved forecasting of Pacific salmon production in ocean ecosystems undergoing changing climatic conditions.  Improved forecasting techniques will help ensure good management of salmon and steelhead stocks for future generations.”  

“NPAFC is also working on publication of a book that looks at ocean salmon life histories through the lens of the very latest scientific research.  Additionally, we are considering designating an International Year of the Salmon to highlight conservation and the importance of Pacific salmon and steelhead as cultural icons across the North Pacific Rim.”

The Commission has an excellent record in combating illegal fishing activities on the high seas through multi-national efforts in detecting, tracking, and apprehending those who violate international agreements.  “NPAFC-related fisheries enforcement on the high seas is highly coordinated among the five member countries, involving sea patrols, aircraft, and port inspections.  Enforcement of the ban on high-seas salmon fisheries is an important component of salmon conservation that helps to contribute to the return of healthy salmon runs to coastal areas.” 

The Commission’s member countries are Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States.  The Convention Area is located in international waters of the North Pacific Ocean north of 33 degrees north latitude and beyond the 200-mile zones of the coastal states.

Some 25 years ago Dr. Radchenko started as a researcher aboard the Russian Pacific research vessel fleet based in Vladivostok.  He participated in dozens of scientific expeditions over his career and has held senior administrative positions at Russian fishery research institutes and the Federal Agency on Fisheries, including Director and Principal Scientist of the Sakhalin Scientific Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (SakhNIRO) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (2001-2010), Deputy Head of Science and Education Department in Moscow (2010-2011), and most recently as Deputy Director General of TINRO-Center in Vladivostok.  His international experience includes 18 years of scientific and administrative leadership in work on advisory panels, committees, and working groups of PICES (North Pacific Marine Science Organization, Sidney, Canada), ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark) and NPAFC.