The first international expedition on the research vessel "Professor Kaganovsky" with scientists from Russia, the USA, Canada, Japan and the Republic of Korea took place in 2019. At that time, comprehensive marine studies of Pacific salmon in the North Pacific Ocean were conducted.
Experts are exploring the waters south of the Aleutian Islands, where various salmon species are feeding, in order to collect information on their biology, ecology, abundance and distribution.
"In the course of the work, trawling accounting works, parasitological and genetic studies will be carried out, including using the aquaDNA method, the feed base and the physiological state of salmon, their energy reserves will be studied," said Alexey Somov, head of the expedition.
The winter period is critical for the survival of juvenile salmon in the first year of their life in the ocean. It is most important to understand which factors are limiting for salmon, which will significantly improve the quality of salmon forecasting. Currently, the efforts of many scientists working within the framework of the Salmon-2021 program are concentrated on this.
"The global program is dedicated to comprehensive studies of Pacific salmon at all stages of the life cycle from the stingray of juveniles to the return to spawning grounds," said Kirill Kolonchin, Director of VNIRO– "For these purposes, the whole range of our work is involved – coastal surveys of spawning grounds with the help of observers, unmanned aerial vehicles, marine accounting work during their exit from coastal waters for winter feeding. In this expedition, we will join our efforts with specialists from other NPAFC member countries."
According to scientists, the practice of exchanging knowledge, techniques, and experience in studying salmon between highly qualified specialists has proved to be useful and in demand. NIS TINRO will be one of four vessels that will survey the entire range of winter salmon feeding in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
The release of NIS TINRO is scheduled for February 5, the work will take two and a half months. The vessel will return to the port of Vladivostok at the end of April.
Press Service VNIRO