Today, students majoring in “Aquaculture and Aquatic Biological Resources” from the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University visited the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center».

During the visit, they were introduced to the work of our leading laboratories:

• Ichthyology Laboratory
• Aquaculture Laboratory
• Laboratory of hydrobiont genetics
• Hydroanalytics Laboratory
• Hydrobiology Laboratory

Students had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the latest research developments and practical methods used to study and preserve aquatic biological resources. A tour of the laboratories and communication with our experts gave the participants an idea of ​​the most important aspects of sustainable fish farming and the ecology of water bodies.

We are proud to be able to maintain connections with leading universities and share knowledge with future aquaculture professionals!

Today, a meeting was held as part of the scientific-technical program project BR21882122, titled “Sustainable Development of Natural-Industrial and Socio-Economic Systems of the West Kazakhstan Region in the Context of Green Growth: A Comprehensive Analysis, Concept, Forecast Estimates and Scenarios” specifically within the block: “Fish Resources”.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss science-based measures for the rational use of fish resources and the sustainable development of the Western Kazakhstan region with representatives of the RSI Tobol-Torgay interregional basin fisheries inspectorate in the Aktobe region. Participants included B.B. Togaev – Deputy Head of the Inspection; N. Kulybekuly – Head of the Inspection Department; chief specialists – B. Sarbas, A. Utenyazov, V. Goncharyuk, and A. Sultanov. Also present were S.Zh. Assylbekova – Doctor of Biological Sciences, Deputy General Director and Head of the block “Fish Resources” of the LLP “FishRPC”, and A.N. Tumenov – PhD, Director of the Western Kazakhstan Branch.

On the same day, the delegation visited “Murager 22” LLP, one of the largest enterprises in Aktobe region engaged in the cultivation of clarias catfish and trout. The facility includes an incubation workshop, broodstock and fry pools, and a specialized water treatment system for biological purification. The plant’s designed capacity is 2,700 tons of fish per year. During the visit, issues of joint activities in the field of aquaculture were discussed, and proposals were made for implementing various programs based at “Murager 22” LLP.

In 2023-2025, the FishRPC carries out research work on the research and technological program BR21882122 «Sustainable development of natural, economic and socio-economic systems of the West Kazakhstan region in the Context of Green Growth: A Comprehensive Analysis, Concept, Forecast Estimates and Scenarios» block: fish resources.

The main idea of ​​the Megaproject is to form a set of indicators characterizing the sustainability of the ecological, socio-economic development of the West Kazakhstan region in the field of using fish resources and the biopotential of water bodies, on their basis to assess the provision of the population with fish products, the quality of the aquatic environment for biota, to identify the development potential using the created databases and thematic maps.

For 2025, in accordance with the Calendar Plan, it is planned to solve the following tasks:

1. To give a forecast assessment of the current state of the bioresource potential of water bodies of the West Kazakhstan region and the economic and resource potential of the territories with the creation of a series of information and assessment maps.
2. Develop scientifically based measures for the rational use of fish resources with a series of forecast and recommendation maps for sustainable development and ensuring food independence for fish and fish products in the West Kazakhstan region.
3. Determining the paths of sustainable development of territories based on the assessment of natural capital and the cost of ecosystem services of water bodies in the West Kazakhstan region for the current (base) and alternative development options…. in the context of climate change and economic activity.

June 23-24 Monitoring studies of water bodies (water sampling for environmental quality, food supply and net setting) continue in the Aktobe reservoir with the participation of Assylbekova S.Zh. – Deputy General Director, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of the “Fish resources” block and employees of the West Kazakhstan branch Tumenov A.N. – PhD, director of the West Kazakhstan branch, Pilin D.V., – senior research fellow, Tuleuov A.M. – senior research fellow, Bulekov N.U. – head of the expeditionary detachment, Dnekeshev A.K.- research fellow, Zhunusov B.Zh. – driver.

The Liaison and Partnership Bureau of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Republic of Kazakhstan organized an orientation training for partner organizations, which is taking place on June 23–24, 2025, in Almaty.

The event is held as part of the preparation for the implementation of FAO projects under the Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM). This mechanism allows partner organizations to implement project activities on behalf of FAO using their own systems and procedures, while ensuring technical support and coordination from FAO.

OPIM contributes to strengthening the institutional capacity of national and regional partners, as well as enhancing the sustainability of project outcomes.

The training is attended by:

• head of the financial and economic department / chief accountant – A.K. Uldakhanova
• chief economist – A.M. Bayandina
• PhD, head of the information-innovation department of the FishRPC – Z.T. Bolatbekova

The purpose of the training is to provide both potential and current partners with an overview of FAO’s mandate and structure, as well as the key procedures for implementing projects under the OPIM modality.

On June 23, 2025, representatives of the Chinese biotechnology company Jiangsu Hitide Biotechnology Co., LTD (HITIDE Biotech), one of the leading developers of aquatic animal health products, visited the FishRPC on a working visit.

The visit was organized to discuss prospects for cooperation in the field of disease prevention in aquaculture, as well as the possibilities of introducing innovative biotechnologies of HITIDE Biotech to fish farms in Kazakhstan.

The delegation included:

• Dr. Lin Xuye, founder of HITIDE Biotech, an expert with over 30 years of experience in animal vaccination;
• Dr. Frank Lee, a leading American scientist, technical director of the company’s international projects;
• Members of the company’s research and operations group.

The meeting was held by the General Director of LLP FishRPC, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Isbekov K.B., who emphasized the importance of cooperation with international research and production companies for the sustainable development of the fishing industry and improving biosecurity in aquaculture in Kazakhstan.

Also present at the meeting was the Deputy General Director of LLP “KazNIVI”, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor Abdybekova A.M.

During the meeting, the Chinese side presented the company’s key technological platforms, including:

• a platform of oral vaccines for aquatic animals (with a degree of protection of more than 70%),
• a platform of reverse packaging for antimicrobial drugs (with an efficiency of use up to 98%),
• innovative protein vaccines and binding proteins of viruses and bacteria.

The possibilities of conducting joint research, clinical trials of new vaccines and the implementation of pilot projects at fish farms in Kazakhstan were also discussed. The visit ended with a mutual expression of interest in developing a long-term partnership and the signing of a memorandum of intent on cooperation.

On June 20, 2025, a working meeting is being held at the head office of the FishRPC on the results of research work within the framework of targeted financing programs for 2024-2026:

1. “Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities that are cost-effective in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan.”
2. “Comprehensive studies of water bodies for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics.”

The meeting heard the results obtained for the first half of 2025.

Meeting results:

• The progress of program implementation was assessed.
• Proposals and recommendations were given to improve the quality of research.

Within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between the FishRPC and the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, 3rd-year students majoring in Aquaculture and Aquatic Biological Resources undergo industrial training at the head office in Almaty.

The head of the laboratory of hydrobiont genetics, PhD Adyrbekova Kamila held a research and educational seminar on the topic: “Genetic analysis of fish: laboratory practical training on DNA extraction” for trainees:

1. Tuyakbay Inkar
2. Omirkhan Adina
3. Narbay Baqdaulet
4. Batyrbekuly Erkanat
5. Beysetay Zhan

The purpose of the seminar is to familiarize students with the basics of molecular genetic methods used in ichthyological research, and to demonstrate in practice the process of isolating genomic DNA from fish tissues for subsequent use in genetic analysis. The seminar includes a short theoretical block and a practical part.

Seminar program:

• Introduction to molecular genetics and its role in ichthyology;
• The main stages of working with DNA: from sample to analysis;
• Demonstration of the protocol for extracting DNA from fish tissues;
• Discussion of application prospects.

The seminar on extracting DNA from fish tissues demonstrated the high relevance of molecular methods in modern science and aroused interest among students. Also, the practice-oriented format of the seminar allowed participants not only to become familiar with the theoretical foundations of genetic research in ichthyology, but also to directly participate in the laboratory stages of DNA extraction.

The President of Kazakhstan signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts on Aquaculture, Agro-Industrial Complex, Electric Power Sector, and Redistribution of Functions of Specific Central Government Bodies.

The Law introduces amendments to the Land, Forestry, Environmental, and Entrepreneurial Codes, as well as 14 other laws.

The first block of amendments aligns legislative acts with the recently adopted Law on Aquaculture.

Amendments to the Land Code enable the allocation of land plots from water fund lands for aquaculture activities. The amendments also regulate requirements for tender applications for such land allocations.

Amendments to the Forest Code allow aquaculture activities on areas of the state forest estate. The requirements for establishing limits and quotas for the use of aquatic resources have been updated.

The Law on State Regulation of the Agro-Industrial Complex and Rural Areas has been supplemented with new state support measures for agro-industrial entities.

The Law aims to promote the sustainable development of aquaculture by establishing new and expanding existing aquaculture operations, increasing the production of competitive aquatic species, and ensuring their safety for human health and the environment.

To support the state’s efforts in establishing new and expanding existing aquaculture operations, the Law introduces scientific support for investment projects, providing businesses with informational, analytical, scientific, and methodological assistance funded by the state budget.

The Law also provides state support measures, including subsidies, preferential loans, insurance, tax incentives, and the provision of engineering and communications infrastructure, among others.

The Law specifies the types of activities conducted by aquaculture operators, as well as the fishery water bodies and areas designated for such activities at international, national, and local levels.

The Law establishes the principle of rational use of fishery water bodies to prevent harm to aquatic biological resources and their habitats.

The Law also introduces state oversight in the field of aquaculture, which forms part of the broader framework for the protection, reproduction, and use of aquatic resources.

The text of the Law will be published in official sources.

Within the framework of targeted program financing for 2024-2026 under the projects:

• BR23591095 – “Comprehensive studies of water bodies for the conservation of aquatic biological resources based on assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics”
• BR23531065 – “Development and implementation of innovative aquaculture technologies and facilities that are economically effective in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan”

Patents have been obtained for the following utility models:

▣ № 10565 Device for temporary holding of live fish during parasitological research. The utility model relates to the field of fisheries and can be used in parasitological studies of fish in fishery reservoirs.

▣ № 10566 Method for determination of species composition of alien fish in water bodies. The utility model relates to the field of fisheries and can be used to study the species composition of alien fish in natural reservoirs.

▣ № 10596 Method of identification of sturgeon fish species. The utility model relates to the field of fish farming and can be used in the formation of a user-specific broodstock (RBS) of sturgeon fish.

▣ № 10643 Method of growing tench in fish farms. The utility model relates to the field of fish farming and can be used for growing tench in fish farms.

The research is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.