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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
© 2005 Caspian Sea Environment | #63, Golestan Alley, Valiasr Avenue, 1966733413, Tehran, I.R. Iran
Tel. No.: (+ 9821) 22059574; 22042285; 22042935 | Fax No.: (+ 9821) 22051850
E-Mail: CEP.PCU@UNDP.ORG
