From April 18 to April 25, employees of the Balkhash branch conducted comprehensive research on the Ili River near the Tasmuryn main canal and the village of Bakanas as part of the implementation of budget program 021 (100). A.A. Assylbek, Chief Specialist of the Lower Ili Fish Inspection Department, participated in the joint operations.

During the mission, specialists determined hydrological indicators, collected hydrochemical and hydrobiological samples, performed biological analyses of fish, and assessed the pre-spawning environment. Using drift nets, the pre-spawning migration of asp was identified. Additionally, the team used drag nets to catch invasive and non-target fish species for subsequent morphological analysis.

Today, to mark the completion of the internship for students of the educational program 6B08402 “Aquaculture and Aquatic Biological Resources” (Faculty of Forestry and Land Resources, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University), an Open House Day was held at the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center».

The event was attended by 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students specializing in “Aquaculture and Aquatic Biological Resources.” During their visit, they were introduced to the operations of our leading laboratories:

• Laboratory of Ichthyology
• Laboratory of Aquaculture
• Laboratory of Hydroanalytics

The students became acquainted with modern scientific research and practical methods for the study and conservation of fish resources.

We are proud to maintain strong ties with leading educational institutions and to share our knowledge with future specialists in the field of fisheries!

As part of the Scientific and Technological Program (STP) for the project “Approbation and Implementation of Effective Biotechnical Methods for Cultivating Promising Aquaculture Objects in Kazakhstan Fish Farms with Genetic Identification Using DNA Markers,” the “Fisheries Scientific and Production Center” LLP is conducting research on new aquaculture species for the Republic of Kazakhstan: Tench and Giant River Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). The overwintering of these objects was successfully completed in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) at the fish farming site of the Balkhash branch of the “Fisheries S&PC” LLP.

From April 14 to 16, a team consisting of Senior Researcher of the Aquaculture Laboratory N.S. Badryzlova, Head of the Complex Laboratory F. Altayeva, and Laboratory Assistant J.S. Seitpatkalov conducted a harvest of the RAS, performed grading (bonitiravka), and took measurements of the research objects. During the process, the prawns were sorted and transferred into square tanks with a volume of 0.2 m², while the tench were placed in five circular tanks with a volume of 3 m³. The RAS is supplied with water from the municipal water system. Key hydrochemical parameters, such as water temperature and dissolved oxygen content, are monitored daily in the tanks.

In accordance with the project’s target indicators, an article was published on April 16 of this year in the Scopus database, in the high-ranking Swiss journal Fishes (Q2, 59th percentile), titled: “Phenotypic Variability and Adaptive Differentiation of Tench (Tinca tinca L.) from Aquaculture and Natural Populations in Southern Kazakhstan.” Foreign experts highly praised the fundamental scientific novelty of the research, specifically highlighting the pronounced plasticity of the tench and its high adaptive capacity to aquaculture conditions.

The results of the morphological analysis demonstrate the significant potential of this species for efficient cultivation in controlled environments. It has been established that tench can successfully adapt to various technological regimes, making it a promising object for expanding aquaculture production.

Publication Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/11/4/238

On April 17, 2026, LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» conducted practical activities in the Mangystau region as part of the implementation of Program 019: “Introduction of Innovative Technologies for Broodstock Preparation to Obtain Food Caviar Using the Non-Lethal Method.”

In the course of the work, ovulated sturgeon eggs were extracted, followed by procedures for salting the black food caviar. The implementation of these technologies is aimed at:

• Expanding the range of sturgeon products;
• Increasing the volume of legal production;
• Developing the export and domestic potential of the industry.

The following officials participated in the events:

• Askhat Oralov, First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region;
• Arman Bagytzhanovich Muldashev, Head of the Fisheries Department of the Mangystau Region.

The work performed is part of a systematic approach to the development of aquaculture and enhancing the efficiency of sturgeon farming in the region.

Since the 8th of April 2026, employees of the “Fisheries Scientific and Production Center” LLP — Expedition Team Leader J.M. Bakkozha, Researcher B.S. Pangereyev, Junior Researcher Q. Maratuly, and Laboratory Assistant N.B. Abishev — have been conducting comprehensive scientific research on water bodies of local significance in the Zhambyl region within the framework of programs 021 (subprogram 100) and 267 (subprogram 101).

The objective of the research is to assess the state of commercial stocks, the distribution of fish and other aquatic biological resources across the local water bodies of the Zhambyl region, and to analyze the dynamics of biodiversity in the rivers of the Shu-Talas basin to develop subsequent conservation measures.

Currently, the expedition team is performing comprehensive (hydrochemical, hydrobiological, and ichthyological) studies, which include:

• Study of the physical, geographical, and hydrological characteristics of the water bodies;
• Analysis of the hydrochemical regime of the waters;
• Assessment of the state of the food supply (foraging base);
• Identification of the species composition of fish resources.

A meeting was held at the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» with the Chairman of the Almaty city branch of the “Auyl” party, Akhmetbek Baiorazuly Konyrbayev.

During the visit, Akhmetbek Baiorazuly met with the Center’s staff and familiarized himself with the organization’s activities. As part of the meeting, he congratulated the newly appointed Chairman of the primary party organization, Tynysbek Temirkhanovich Barakbayev.

In his speech, Akhmetbek Baiorazuly noted the significance of developing scientific potential in the field of fisheries, emphasizing its vital role in ensuring the country’s food security and the rational use of aquatic biological resources. Special attention was paid to the contribution of the Center’s specialists to the development of domestic fishery science and aquaculture.

On April 13–14, a delegation from the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» visited the experimental base of the Xinjiang Institute of Fisheries Science, where pike-perch (zander) cultivation serves as one of the key focus areas. This direction stands out due to the popularity of pike-perch in aquaculture and its high culinary value.

During the visit, the delegation examined several critical aspects: the incubation process, domestication of pike-perch broodstock, wintering of spawners, and specialized pharmacological agents used for stress suppression and increasing the effectiveness of hormonal injections. Institute staff conducted a tour of the hatchery, which operates using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for the hatching of pike-perch larvae.

The next stop was the modern fish farming enterprise “Kunlun Fisheries,” located in the Shaybak District of the XUAR. There, the facility’s management presented the production process for rearing pike-perch, largemouth bass, and European perch within an RAS framework.

The pike-perch production cycle at this farm includes egg incubation and the rearing of fingerlings to a marketable weight of 500–600 grams. The total annual production capacity for the three fish species is 600 tons. Having commenced operations in 2024, the farm possesses production facilities for larvae, fry, and marketable fish, with a total water volume of 5,000 m³. Currently, the staff is actively working on forming a pike-perch broodstock, a portion of which is being maintained in tank conditions.

“Kunlun Fisheries” is a subsidiary of the Xinjiang Haoyuan Investment Group (also known as the “Houya Group”). Following the site visit, the company’s director, Mr. Ma, presented the group’s primary business activities. He noted that “Kunlun Fisheries” is one of their successful aquaculture projects specializing in pike-perch and other species. The company actively participates in the state “Belt and Road” initiative within the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone. The Houya Group manages six subsidiaries working on projects in big data, artificial intelligence, culture, tourism, mass media and communications, brand planning, and aquaculture development.

Following the meeting, both parties expressed their readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as fish farm design, consulting, the sale of pike-perch eggs and stocking material (as well as other species), and the establishment of platforms for technology transfer in the field of aquaculture.

On April 11, Tynysbek Temirkhanovich Barakbayev, Deputy Director General for Innovation and Production Activities of the LLP “Fisheries Research and Production Center” , participated in the I International Festival “AUYL FEST. Fish Farming – 2026.” During the event, he presented a report titled: “Fisheries of Kazakhstan: Transitioning from Capture to Industrial Aquaculture (Scientific Aspect).”

The industry is currently undergoing a period of systemic transformation. Growing demand for fish products, limited natural resources, and the increasing environmental pressure on water bodies have created an objective necessity to shift focus from wild harvesting to controlled fish farming. Science plays a pivotal role in this transition.

On April 11–12, as part of their official visit, the delegation from the Fisheries Research and Production Center (Fisheries RPC) explored cutting-edge aquaculture technologies by visiting two major production facilities.

Visit to Xinjiang Hangfu Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
The delegation visited a farm specializing in the cultivation of Australian red-claw crayfish and narrow-clawed crayfish. Company representatives provided a detailed presentation of their innovative pond technology, which allows juveniles to reach a weight of 3 to 5 grams. To accelerate growth to marketable size, the crayfish are subsequently transported to a second production site in Hangzhou, a move necessitated by differences in natural and climatic conditions. The facility operates over 100 ponds equipped with advanced aeration systems, enabling a yield of up to 10,000 crayfish per hectare. The rearing cycle lasts approximately 12 months, during which the crayfish grow from 3 grams to a final weight of 150 grams.

Visit to Wujiaqu Jiahua Ecological Breeding Co., Ltd.
The second site visited was a farm specializing in the breeding of zander (pike-perch), European perch, carp, and paddlefish. A key highlight of this facility is its unique incubation process, which utilizes specialized substrates for egg reproduction, ensuring high efficiency and superior product quality.

The Fisheries RPC delegation closely examined the processes of incubation, feeding, and commercial rearing of zander and other fish species. They emphasized the vital importance of international knowledge exchange and the implementation of best practices to advance the aquaculture industry.

On April 9-10, 2026, an official delegation from the Fisheries Research and Production Center (Fisheries RPC) visited Shihezi University in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), PRC. The Kazakh delegation was led by Director General A.S. Suyubayev, First Deputy Director General S.Zh. Assylbekova, Executive Director K.B. Isbekov, and Leading Researcher R.T. Barakov. They were joined by M. Finogenov, Director of “IP DWS” LLP.

Host Representatives: The hosting side was represented by the Dean of the Faculty, Zhang Hui, along with Professors and Lecturers Nie Cunxi, Liu Han, and Zhao Jing. The meeting was moderated by Luo Xialing. The delegation was also welcomed by representatives of the Livestock and Fisheries Development Center of the 8th District of Shihezi, Gao Jing and Ding Yuwei.

Key Discussion Points: The parties discussed the current state of aquaculture and the development of the fisheries industry in both Kazakhstan and XUAR. Focus was placed on joint scientific projects for cultivating commercially valuable fish species (such as zander and cyprinids) and other aquatic organisms, including the Pacific freshwater shrimp and narrow-clawed crayfish.

Priority Cooperation Areas: Two main directions for future scientific collaboration were identified:

1. Cultivation of cold-water aquaculture species.

2. Development of brackish-water aquaculture.

Outcomes: The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to developing joint research projects aimed at strengthening science-business integration. The participants also discussed the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their partnership.

Field Visit: Following the official presentations, the delegation toured modern laboratory facilities and observed the working conditions of the scientific staff. The visit concluded with a trip to the “Zhong Miao” farm, which specializes in hatching Pacific freshwater shrimp larvae using tank-based technology and rearing them to market size in ponds. According to administrative data, a 0.6-hectare pond yields approximately 400 kg of marketable shrimp. In the Chinese market, these shrimps are sold at a price of 40–60 yuan per shrimp.