The President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Sergeev, in his welcoming address to the participants of the assembly, stressed that strengthening the existing scientific ties between the Caspian countries will create a basis for rapid response to "global challenges" in the future. "The draft Agreement between the governments of the Caspian littoral states on cooperation in the field of marine scientific research in the Caspian Sea, which will regulate the basic principles and directions of international scientific cooperation in the Caspian region, is at the final stage of approval," Alexander Sergeev added, noting the contribution of VNIRO specialists to the preparation of the draft Agreement.Within the framework of the assembly, a conference "Saving the Caspian Sea", a round table "Challenges and problems of the Caspian Sea in the information space of the Caspian states" were held, expert discussions were organized on the topics "Prevention of environmental disasters in the Caspian Sea" and "The level of the Caspian Sea. Climate. Reasons for changes and forecasts".
VNIRO scientists took an active part in the discussion of a wide range of issues related to the current state of aquatic biological resources and the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea, as well as problems and solutions aimed at preserving and maintaining the unique biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.
Vyacheslav Bizikov, Deputy Director of VNIRO for Scientific Work, in his report presented the results of many years of research work aimed at studying the Caspian seal, whose number has been steadily increasing in recent years. The scientist spoke about the specifics of the methods of ship route accounting for the distribution of seals during feeding and the study of the feed base of this species, as well as about the effectiveness of air accounting work – a joint project of Russian and Kazakh researchers. Prolonged scientific monitoring is aimed at determining the reproductive potential of the population, as well as studying the risks of natural and anthropogenic nature that affect the number of marine mammals.
The presentation of Sergey Shipulin, Deputy Head of the Volga-Caspian branch of the VNIRO Federal State Budgetary Research University, was dedicated to the results of last year's research work. In recent years, scientists have been recording a stable state of the habitat parameters of aquatic biological resources of the Caspian Sea, stable stocks of semi-navigable and riverine fish, growing catches of marine fish. In addition, the speaker drew special attention of the assembly participants to the significant achievements of Russian science in the development of artificial reproduction of rare sturgeon fish species and other valuable aquatic biological resources of the region.
The participants of the event were informed that every year, within the framework of specialized meetings of the Caspian Commission for the Conservation, Rational Use of Aquatic Biological Resources and Management of their Joint Reserves, an expanded exchange of information on all ongoing research takes place.
VNIRO Press Service