CASPIAN-WIDE EXPEDITION STARTS NEXT WEEK

The Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) and its thematic centre for “Fisheries and Commercially Exploited Bioresources” set up by CEP in Astrakhan city will start a Caspian-wide Fish Stock taking expedition. A crew of experts from Caspian littoral countries will survey the central and south parts of the Sea on specialised Russian survey vessel “Issledovatel Kaspya” next week. Other vessels will survey the shallow northern and shelf Azerbaijani parts of the Sea.

The expedition is aimed at evaluating stocks of commercially exploited fishes, with the purpose to establish sustainable exploitation of fish in the Caspian. For the first time in the Caspian Sea, the survey will use hydro-acoustic techniques, using modern Norwegian equipment, along with traditional research methods.

It is noteworthy that the Norwegian Embassy for Azerbaijan in Baku has recently granted the hydro-acoustic equipment produced by “Simrad” company to CEP, proving the Norwegian Government is eager to support the protection of the unique Caspian bioresources.

The main purpose of the expedition is to identify the abundance of all species of Caspian fish. Sample catches will help in species identification and in evaluating of their health, feeding patterns and age structure as well as identifying their distribution.

Information received as a result of the expedition will have an advantage over earlier surveys, because data will be obtained using modern hydro-acoustic equipment, that covers wider water areas, greater range of depths and providing more precise data. The equipment is so sensitive that individual fish can be identified!

All data received during and in the result of the expedition will be the property of CEP and all Caspian littoral countries.

Training on application of hydro-acoustic equipment is currently being held at the CEP Programme Coordination Unit in Baku. An expert from the equipment-supplier is sharing his experience with the Caspian experts.

Recommendations for decision-making on management and rational use of commercially important bioresources will be developed on the base of results of the expedition.

The expedition will last 45 days and will cost approximately 100 000 USD.

Contact persons:

Stuart Gunn, the Caspian Environment Programme, Programme Coordination Unit, Room 108, Government Building, 40 Uzeir Gadjibekov Street, Baku 370016 Azerbaijan,
E-mail: sturatgunn@caspian.in-baku.com
Phone: + (99412) 97 17 85, 93 80 03
Fax: + (99412) 97 17 86

Elina Farmanova, the Caspian Environment Programme, Programme Coordination Unit, Room 108, Government Building, 40 Uzeir Gadjibekov Street, Baku 370016 Azerbaijan,
E-mail: efarmanova@caspian.in-baku.com
Phone: + (99412) 97 17 85, 93 80 03
Fax: + (99412) 97 17 86