Scientists Uncover Hidden Dangers in Declining Caspian Sea

Scientists from the Volga-Caspian branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) have launched a series of research expeditions in the Caspian Sea. The data collected will be used to calculate allowable catch volumes for aquatic biological resources, specifically accounting for the declining sea level. Biomass and Environmental Assessment Since August, the vessel Damir Katunin has been operating in the Middle Caspian. The research team is analyzing hydrobiont biomass density, the state of invasive ctenophore populations, and environmental characteristics. Researchers are focusing on the Caspian sprat; determining its distribution and weight is necessary to calculate the total commercial stock. Sturgeon Population Monitoring On August 14, the vessel Raisa Khodorevskaya departed for the northern part of the sea to estimate sturgeon stocks and juvenile fish numbers. The mission's operational program consists of the following tasks: