The region and a thirty mile zone around it are part of the Komandorsky State Nature and Biosphere Preserve. Only a small part of the region is used for fishing and fur farming. The Komandorsky Islands are covered by tundra. Spectacular cliffs are formed by the winds and the waves. Rivers fall into the sea like graceful waterfalls.
Giant whales drift around the island.
You can find tufted puffins and fulmars on Aril Kamen and Toporkov Islands and on the closest reefs, Kamchatka jacks, sandpipers, seagulls, cormorants and parakeet auklets. The only settlement in the region is Nikolskoi on Bering Island. It is inhabited by about 750 people. Its occupation is diminishing because of its lack of employment. This is a very harsh region which is separated from the mainland and, due to its weather, has no regularly scheduled flights.