The richest in species diversity water area among the seas of Russia. The purpose of its creation is to preserve the natural environment of the richest in marine and island fauna and flora of the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of ​​Japan and, above all, the gene pool of marine organisms. In September 2003, the reserve received the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve for the merits and significance of the animals and plants, communities, landscapes and natural phenomena under its protection.

The area of ​​the reserve is 64,316.3 hectares, including 63,000 hectares of marine water area and 1,136.3 hectares of territory. The reserve is located in the western part of the Sea of ​​Japan. It occupies about 10% of the area of ​​the Peter the Great Bay – the southernmost and warmest water area of ​​the Far Eastern seas of Russia. The reserve includes 11 islands, the total area of ​​which is 1,100 hectares. A marine protection zone 3 miles wide has been established around the marine borders of the reserve. The land protection zone is established as a 500-meter-wide strip along the land borders of the reserve.

Main objects of protection.
Animals: Far Eastern trepang, Kamchatka crab, giant octopus, Far Eastern garfish, large-scaled rudd, Japanese hair-toothed tortoise, largha seal, yellow-billed heron, little spoonbill, island warbler;
Plants: prickly raspberry, quadrangular kermek, lanceolate lily, densely-flowered pine, pointed yew, maiden grape, Schlippenbach’s rhododendron, dentate oak.
Underwater world: a unique combination of boreal-arctic and subtropical faunas – the richest species diversity among the seas of Russia.
Furugelm Island: multi-species bird colonies, the largest colonies of black-tailed gull and Ussuri cormorant in the world. The only nesting place in Russia for yellow-billed heron and little spoonbill.