Back in 2017-2018, noting a clear trend of climate change, specialists from the State Research Center of the Russian Federation "All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography" (VNIRO) predicted their impact on the state of fish stocks in the Sea of Azov and its other inhabitants. Later, these calculations formed the basis for a long-term forecast prepared by the Azov-Black Sea branch of VNIRO. It was this forecast that became the basis for the development of the draft Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Azov Region until 2040 as part of the implementation of the Instruction of the President of the Russian Federation dated 01.04.2023 No. Pr-650.
In their calculations, VNIRO scientists noted the risks of a sharp increase in the number of jellyfish in the Azov Sea. Today, the scientists' forecasts, in this case, unfortunately, are coming true. The biomass of jellyfish has grown to millions of tons. Their accumulations disrupt the operation of seaside beaches, clog fishing gear, blocking fish catch. World practice shows that it is impossible to radically reduce the number of jellyfish without significantly adjusting their living conditions. In our case, it is necessary to reduce the salinity of the Azov Sea, but so far there is no man-made opportunity for this, and Roshydromet forecasts indicate that the low-water period will continue in the next decade, which means that freshwater runoff will be low. Therefore, the issues of studying the state of the jellyfish population in the Azov Sea and developing proposals to combat their negative impact will remain relevant for a long time.
To collect information about the processes taking place in the Azov Sea, VNIRO scientists are organizing daily monitoring of the approach of jellyfish to the coast of the Azov Sea for the first time. Today, we are the only scientific institution that has the ability to conduct such large-scale research. The first results show that the areas of the Taganrog Bay, where the salinity of the water is minimal, are the least susceptible to jellyfish invasion. The maximum density of gelatinous organisms is consistently recorded in the southern part of the Azov Sea, primarily in the Temryuk district of the Krasnodar Territory. That is why this area was chosen by VNIRO specialists to conduct an experiment to test barrier nets in order to locally minimize the negative impact of jellyfish.
To date, scientists have made drawings of these nets and built the first experimental sample, the testing of which is planned to begin in the first half of September 2025. The study will study the currents in the experimental area, the pattern of jellyfish movement, and their interaction with barrier nets. The data obtained will be used to develop a special computer program to model the movement of jellyfish in the local water area and determine the optimal angles for installing barrier nets. The experiment is planned to be continued in 2026. For this purpose, full-scale barrier nets are already being prepared for construction for full-scale testing in conditions of interaction with existing industrial fishing gear.
The results of the experiment by VNIRO scientists will form the basis for future measures to minimize the negative impact of jellyfish in the Sea of Azov and will assist in the implementation of the activities of the Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Azov Region until 2040.
Press Service of VNIRO
