Hundreds of fishermen stranded on a breakaway ice shelf refused evacuation from rescuers as they drifted out to the Pacific Ocean.

Authorities said the 374 anglers had been trapped on the ice after it broke off from Russia's eastern coast, drifting a kilometre out into the Sea of Okhotsk on February 28.

When emergency responders in a fleet of dinghies were dispatched to intercept them, they were astonished to find the fishermen refusing to board the boats at first.

Coastguard personnel had instructed them to abandon their snowmobiles, sledges, and catches to reduce the weight in the boats.

Local media reported that the fishermen refused to leave without their equipment, swearing and threatening the rescuers during the standoff.

Rescue footage shows a long line of fishermen pulling their sledges while waiting to board the rescue boats.

Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations later said: 'Fortunately, everything ended successfully. All fishermen were taken ashore - all 374 people. There are no casualties.'