04 December 2025

Research on the Kolyma River

From October to November, the Yakutsk branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) conducted a field expedition to collect ichthyological data on the Kolyma River in the Nizhnekolymsky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).
 
The work was carried out in the Far North, characterized by a harsh climate and challenging logistical conditions. This year, stable ice cover on the Kolyma River formed later than usual due to an unusually warm autumn. Despite this, specialists were able to conduct comprehensive research, including test catches, the collection of biological material on whitefish species, and an assessment of the current fishery conducted by local fishermen.
 
The Kolyma River plays an important role in the fisheries of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia): it ranks third in terms of total length (approximately 800 km within the republic) and whitefish catch volume. The river has significant fish resources, especially in the lower reaches, where intensive fishing occurs. Furthermore, the Kolyma River's fish stocks are actively used for recreational fishing.
 
The collected data, after office processing, will be used to forecast the total allowable catch and recommended catch volumes of aquatic bioresources, which will contribute to sustainable fisheries management and the preservation of the river's ecosystem.
 
 
VNIRO Press Service