Scientists of the Polar Branch of VNIRO completed surveying of pelagic fish species
08 May 2024

Scientists of the Polar Branch of VNIRO completed surveying of pelagic fish species

From April 16 to May 6, 2024, the R/V Vilnius participated in the Russian survey of pelagic fish in the Barents Sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Russia.
 
The main goal was to estimate the biomass and abundance of immature juveniles of Atlantic-Scandinavian herring to objectively predict the amount of replenishment of the spawning stock of this species.
 
During the voyage, specialists completed 60 oceanological stations, including at the Kola Meridian section. They collected samples of plankton to assess its biomass in the survey area, carried out work on sampling microplastics, assessing stocks and collecting materials on biology, parasitology and ichthyopathology.
 
Based on the data obtained during the expedition, scientists calculated the biomass and number of herring juveniles. It is expected that the 2022 generation in 2025 (as they mature) will begin to migrate en masse to the Norwegian Sea, where they will replenish the spawning stock of Atlantic-Scandinavian herring.
 
VNIRO press service