Scientists do not just record catch volumes — they comprehensively study the species: they collect data on the biology of the crab, track how it is distributed over the water area, and record the hydrological conditions in its habitats. Special attention is also paid to how crabs are brought ashore: it is important to understand the conditions under which they are transported from the fishing area to the reception point.
Modern equipment is used for accurate measurements: for example, a high-precision temperature logger will help track the temperature regime at different depths and at different points in the water area. As the head of the branch, Evgeny Metelev, noted, these data are critically important in order to understand what environmental conditions the species prefers and to assess how external factors affect its distribution in the central part of the Sea of Okhotsk.
The research results will form the basis for forecasts of the total allowable catch of the long—tailed crab and will help form recommendations for the rational use of its stocks - this is how science directly supports the balance between fishing and population conservation.
VNIRO Press Service
