Distribution of Dragon Poacher Percis japonica (Agonidae) in the Russian Territorial Waters in the Sea of Japan

The research outcomes of spatial and bathymetric distribution of dragon poacher Percis japonica are reported based on the bottom trawl surveys carried out in the Russian territorial waters in the Sea of Japan. The species can be found in the waters along the entire coastline. However, its spatial distribution pattern is variable. Thus, its distribution is sparse off the coasts of West Sakhalin, especially off the southern part of the island, while the species tends to congregate in the Peter the Great Bay and the Tatar Strait, where the locations of the species across these water areas remain almost unchanged throughout the year. With respect to the Northern Primorye Coastal Zone, the even distribution is typical for the entire water area, without any high congregation locations. Therefore, the dragon poacher can be found in wide ranges of depths and temperatures. However, its preferable ranges are substantially narrower. The highest values for available biomass resources are typical for the water areas off the Northern Primorye Coastal Zone.