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THE INVASION OF THE COMB JELLY MNEMIOPSIS
LEIDYI TO THE CASPIAN SEA
- Problems, Perspectives, Needs for Actions -
The last year saw substantial quantities of
Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Caspian Sea, a plankton organism threatening the
Sea’s ecosystem balance, being an important competitor for food for fishes.
Mnemiopsis leidyi, which might have
been responsible for dramatic drop of an anchovy species in the Black Sea, has
most likely moved across the Atlantic as a stowaway in the ballast water of
cargo ships to the Black Sea and then to the Caspian through the Volga-Don
Canal.
Many experts from the Caspian littoral states and
other countries have become alarmed about the potential severe risk to the
Caspian ecosystem that these new species poses and are now meeting to consider
how best to cope with the new situation. Since November 2000 the Caspian
Environment Programme has been collating available information and
consulting with a wide range of specialists, and is now hosting First
International Workshop “The Invasion of the Comb Jelly Mnemiopsis to
the Caspian Sea - Problems, Perspectives, Needs for Actions“. The three-day
event, April 24 – 26, gathers biologists from five Caspian littoral countries as
well as Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Italy, United States, Australia and
Turkey.
The effect of the new species on the equilibrium of
the Caspian Sea ecosystem is also a cause of worry for the private sector: bp,
Exxon Mobil, SOCAR and OKIOC will be participating in the discussions as well.
During the meeting scientists will look at:
The distribution and biology of Mnemiopsis in the Americas,
Black Sea, Baltic Sea, Azov Sea, Mediterranean and Marmora Seas;
The impact of Mnemiopsis on the Caspian Sea Ecosystem and
its consequences, Management of the invasion, and
A discussion on elaboration of an Action Plan for the Caspian Sea.
The Caspian Environment Programme is to hold a
press conference on the first day of the event, April 24th, between
13.00 p.m. – 13.30 p.m. and the last day, on April 26th at 17.30 p.m.
at “Irshad Hotel”, 11a, Vagif ave.
Contact persons:
Vladimir Vladymyrov,
the Caspian
Environment Programme, Programme Coordination Unit,
Room 108, Government
Building, 40
Uzeir Gadjibekov Street, Baku 370016 Azerbaijan,
E-mail: vladymyrov@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
