The research focuses on stocks of key commercial fish: cod, haddock, saithe, sea bass, capelin and saiki. Special attention will be paid to juveniles (group 0) ‑ their distribution and a preliminary estimate of the number will help predict the replenishment of fish stocks in the coming years.
In addition, experts will determine the abundance and habitats of other important species — sea flounder, black halibut, ruff flounder, catfish, juvenile herring, as well as commercial invertebrates: Kamchatka crab, strigoi crab and shrimp. The works will cover the waters of the exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation and the open part of the Barents Sea.
The expedition program includes a wide range of studies: assessment of oceanographic conditions and environmental conditions, accounting of marine mammals and birds with species identification, ecological, parasitological and ichthyopathological examinations, sampling of zooplankton, fish nutrition, as well as samples for biochemical, technological and trophic studies. A separate area is the monitoring of bottom communities and the search for indicator species of vulnerable ecosystems.
The expedition takes place in cooperation with foreign colleagues: in parallel with NIS Vilnius, vessels of the Institute of Marine Research from Bergen (Norway) are operating in the western part of the sea, carrying out similar research. The data obtained will become the basis for forecasting stocks of cod, haddock and other species, calculating the allowable catch of capelin for 2027, as well as for defending Russian interests in international fisheries management structures.
VNIRO Press Service
