Russia's newly approved ban on a scorched-earth form of ocean fishing is driven by environmental interests, not international politics, analysts and activists have said.
An investigation by The Japan Times found no evidence to support fears in Japan that the drift net fishing ban is wholly or even partly politically motivated in the wake of Tokyo's sanctions on Moscow over its actions in Ukraine. Interviews with experts and statements by Russian officials point instead to the growing influence of the environmental lobby in the country.
"Our Japanese partners understand that this is not in the slightest bit aimed at Japan," Valentina Matviyenko, speaker in the upper house of Russia's parliament, said in recorded comments as lawmakers approved the ban. "It does not reduce the catch quotas for Japanese fishermen. They are just going to have to fish in a civilized way."