10:00 09.07.2026
“The sea is my trade for over 20 years. A captain from Murmansk offers tips on northern fishing
© Russian Arctic and Far East Development
Konstantin Lazovsky first sailed the Barents Sea just “to have some fun” and got caried away ever since. Today, hardly a single day of his life passes without salty winds and endless sea expanses. He now commands a ship of his own; as an experienced fisherman, he conducts guided tours and tells visitors that fishing is not just about catching marine life, but it also offers a cascade of dazzling emotions.
This story will tell beginner fishermen how to act in stormy weather, why capelin schools have become depleted in the Barents Sea, and what items they should always carry with them.
Konstantin Lazovsky was born in the Kola Peninsula and became fascinated with fishing when he was 18 years old. On that day, he and his friends decided to have a boat ride.
“I did not know that things would work out this way. I sailed out just to have some fun, but I got carried away completely,” he recalled.
Konstantin now prefers to fish near Kildin Island and in Dalniye Zelentsy. The captain relies on his intuition and modern equipment while searching for fish shoals. “We keep an eye on the sonar to pinpoint the best fishing sectors. It is a constant game of catch-me-if-you-can,” he noted.
Fishing in the waters of the Barents Sea
© Russian Arctic and Far East Development
Konstantin catches cod, for the most part, followed by haddock. Spring, from March to May, is the best fishing season in the Barents Sea. Laps of cod start migrating en masse by mid-June, and the sea is virtually teeming with life. Konstantin also puts to sea during that period, but fishing becomes more difficult because of cold and stormy weather.
During the many years of his work, Konstantin has noted some alarming changes; capelin and herring schools have been seriously depleted. An official moratorium has now been imposed on all capelin catches because these fish schools are not recovering. Authorities recently allowed each amateur fisherman to catch up to seven capelin fish daily (for personal consumption only). It is also expressly forbidden to catch crabs and Atlantic Pacific halibut which are listed in the Red Data Book.
“If you catch them, let go immediately. I always release them,” Konstantin noted.
Local authorities crack down on poachers; whaleboats and inspectors regularly deploy to sea. The law allows each fisherman to catch up to 100 kilograms of fish without any quotas.
“I believe that this is quite enough, and that this limit should not be exceeded,” Konstantin said.
There is always a chance while the engine is running
Foul weather is the greatest hazard for fishermen from Murmansk.
“The storms are a nuisance; our sea is severe, and the climate is unpredictable. Encountering a storm is the most difficult part of my job; one can be swept away and never come back,” the captain said.
The experienced captain offers some sound advice: In this situation, one should seek shelter and head home. Or one should ride out the storm and brave towering waves until the storm subsides. One should also call first responders if the situation becomes critical.
Konstantin has faced some emergencies on the high seas. His ship once encountered a powerful storm in the Barents Sea. “We tried to survive for three days, but everything ended on a positive note,” he recalled. According to the captain, the situation can turn critical due to engine failure; and it is always possible to cope while the engine is still running.
According to Konstantin, more tourists are now flocking to the Murmansk Region. Tourist flows have soared considerably after programs for developing the Arctic and the Far East were launched. Konstantin can see this judging by the number of boats which put to sea every spring: up to 500 boats set sail each day, and amateur fishermen come here from across Russia.
“Very positive people come here, they are adventurers in the good sense of the word who want to see the whales and to fish,” he noted.
It is possible to sight minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises and seals in the Barents Sea. After small fish arrive, the whales swoop in to eat them, and chances of seeing these giants increase greatly.
The North tests everyone’s strength
The captain is confident that the most important thing is to prepare carefully for fishing in northern waters. He insistently advises beginners to read books and articles about the Barents Sea, to regularly check weather forecasts and to choose highly reliable gear. One should always carry a radio transceiver for receiving storm warnings; life preservers, flare guns, blue lights and distress signals are also essential.
Konstantin recalls how he unwittingly became involved a rescue operation recently. He sighted fishermen in distress whose motorboat ran aground on the rocks off Maly Oleny Island after its engine went dead. He called the border guards immediately, and they rescued the hapless men.
The coastal cliffs of Teriberka Isthmus
© Russian Arctic and Far East Development
“They had nothing with them. They were lucky their cellphone was working, and they climbed a hill to make a call,” the captain said.
During his 20 years at sea, Konstantin has become convinced that the North tests the strength of any person who wants to link their destiny with it. If a person knows the habits of the sea and does not neglect safety regulations, then the sea will reciprocate and lavish its riches on them. It will also help them meet with whales, enjoy quiet dawns and experience an unlimited feeling of freedom.
