18 Jun 2016

Thousands of Crested Auklets Return to Talan

The Sea of Okhotsk supports an amazing diversity and abundance of both seabirds and Marine Mammals. Very few people know about the Sea of Okhotsk let alone appreciate its rich natural history. It is also a very important fisheries, in the mid 1800’s when pelagic whaling was at its peak hundreds of vessels took thousands of whales from the sea. Today it is a carefully managed fishery but never the less over a million tons of fish are caught and exported each year.  In 2013 International Courts ruled that, despite a small enclave of International waters (Sea area outside the recognised 200 nm Exclusive Economic  Zone) the Sea of Okhotsk was to be treated as exclusive Russian Waters.  On this expedition we have seen great examples of the abundance of seabirds for example last night we zodiac cruised at Talan Island until after 10pm and witnessed the thousands of crested auklets returning for the night. We also had the best ever views of Ancient Murrelets, Parakeet, Rhinoceros Auklets and Spectacled Guillemots.

Photo credit: © Heritage Expeditions