In accordance with Order No. 7-K of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP, dated February 11, 2025, an expeditionary team has been conducting winter scientific research in the Kapshagai Reservoir since February 13.

The expeditionary team consists of:

• Head of the expeditionary team – S.Zh. Makambetov
• Acting head of the expeditionary team – Zh.M. Bakkozha
• Researcher – B.S. Pangereev
• Researcher – D.S. Bekturov
• Junior researcher – S.A. Utegen
• Junior researcher – A.T. Satbek
• Driver – N.K. Sakharin

The research is being conducted within the framework of BP 021: “Determination of fish productivity in fishery reservoirs and/or their specific areas, development of biological justifications for maximum allowable fish catches and other aquatic organisms, as well as the regulation and management of fisheries in reservoirs of international and national significance, including protected areas of the Balkhash-Alakol basin (Section: Kapshagai Reservoir and the Ile River).”

Additionally, the studies are carried out as part of PCF 267 (PP 101): “Comprehensive research on water bodies for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics.”

Participation of the Fisheries Inspection:
During the research period, N.V. Shkurkin, Chief Specialist of the Kapshagai Fisheries Inspection Department under the Balkhash–Alakol Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspection (BAMBIRH), is also participating in the work at the Kapshagai Reservoir.

Scope of Scientific Research:
As part of the fieldwork, the team is conducting:

• Ichthyological, hydrobiological, and hydrological sampling at monitoring stations.
• Echo-sounding surveys to monitor fish wintering sites.
• Supervision of commercial fishing activities and analysis of fish catches.

The comprehensive research will continue until March 9, 2025.

In accordance with Order No. 6-K of the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» dated February 11, 2025, an expeditionary unit consisting of the following members: Head of the Ichthyology Laboratory – E.T. Sansyzbayeva, Expedition Unit Leader A. Minat, Expedition Unit Leader S. Karlybayuly, Acting Researcher – R. Igilik, Senior Laboratory Assistant – N.M. Zhazykbayev, and Driver – N.B. Abishev, is conducting winter scientific research in the Alakol lake system as part of the budget-funded project “Comprehensive Study of Water Bodies for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Aquatic Biological Resources Based on the Assessment of Their Potential and Modeling of Stock Dynamics” and project 021: “Determination of Fish Productivity of Fishery Water Bodies and/or Their Sections, Development of Biological Justifications for the Maximum Allowable Catch Volumes of Fish and Other Aquatic Animals, as well as the Regulation of Fishing Activities in Fishery Water Bodies of International and National Significance and Water Bodies of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin’s Protected Areas.”
Section: ALAKOL LAKE SYSTEM.

The Chief Specialist of the Alakol Fish Inspection Department, Sh. Kulenova, is participating in the scientific research on the water bodies.

During the expedition, ichthyological, hydrobiological, and hydrological samples are collected at monitoring stations, echo-sounding monitoring of fish wintering sites is conducted, fishing activities are monitored, and catch analysis is performed.

The comprehensive research will continue until March 9, 2025.

Today, 02/17/2025, a seminar on the cultivation of artemisia and discussion of the prospects for the development of this sector in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is taking place in Tashkent.

The seminar was organized by the Regional Project of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) “Ecologically oriented regional development of the Aral Sea region”.

As part of this project, starting in 2021, research on sustainable pond cultivation of artemisia in the Aral Sea region is being conducted in partnership with Patrick Sorgelus, a professor at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and national organizations of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Participating from the Republic of Kazakhstan:
Nurtai G. – Chief Expert of the Department of Aquaculture Development of the Committee of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
K.B. Isbekov – General Director of NPC RH LLP, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Sosorbarmaev Ch.A. – Chairman of the Public Organization “Kazakhstan Association for research of extraction and processing of Artemia cysts”.
Egezhanov K. is a national expert of the GIZ regional project “Ecologically oriented regional development of the Aral Sea region”.

During the period from February 10 to 15, a scientific and practical seminar was held at the aquaculture training center “FISH SCHOOL” at the “Hamit” agricultural production center for entrepreneurs and fish farmers on the topic “Technologies for growing valuable fish species.”

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation concluded between the Research and Production Center for LLP Fisheries and the Khamit SPK, the seminar was conducted by A.U. Umirtaeva, a researcher at the aquaculture laboratory of LLP SPC RH.

During the seminar, listeners became familiar with traditional technologies for growing valuable fish species in fish farms in Kazakhstan, with innovative technologies for cultivating promising aquaculture objects, as well as with government support measures for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the fishing industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

We also learned how to write business plans. Practical classes were held at the pond farm of the SEC “Hamit”, the cage farm of “Vita” LLP, in the lake-commercial fish farm “Sultan”, in the basin farm of the IP “Baiterek” and at the fish processing plant of the SEC “Khamit”.

Today, on 31.01.2025, the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh.Yesenov (Aktau) is hosting a working meeting of the research group within the framework of the BR21882122 RCF “Sustainable development of natural, economic and socio-economic systems of the West Kazakhstan region in the context of green growth: comprehensive analysis, concept, forecast estimates and scenarios”.

The workshop is attended online by Asylbekova S.Zh., Head of the “Fish Resources” block of the subprogram “Assessment of natural resource potential as the main factor in the development of natural and economic systems in the West Kazakhstan region”, Deputy General Director of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Kulikov E.V., Candidate of Biological Sciences, with a report on the topic: “Assessment of the fisheries and resource potential of reservoirs in the West Kazakhstan region.”

Also, the director of the Atyrau branch Kadimov E. L. and the director of the West Kazakhstan branch, PhD Tumenov A. N. are taking part in the online meeting.

Today, the head office of the FishRPC of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan was visited by the Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Chairman of the “Auyl” party, Serik Rakhmetollaevich Egizbayev and the Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nikolay Gennadyevich Arsyutin.

During the meeting, the state and current issues of fisheries science were discussed. An exchange of views on the draft law “On Aquaculture”, which is currently being considered in the Majilis, also took place.

Also, the laboratories were visited, where the deputies talked with the staff, listened to proposals and answered questions of interest to the staff.

Today, 27.12.2024, a working meeting is being held at the Head Office of the FishRPC (Almaty) to discuss and plan research work of the departments (branches and laboratories) for 2025 under the programs:

“Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities in natural and climatic economically efficient conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan” (Ministry of Agriculture RK) for projects;

“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” (MoA RK) for projects;

“Ensuring the conservation, reproduction and rational use of wildlife resources” for the lot “Determining the fish productivity of fishery water bodies and/or their sections, developing biological justifications for maximum permissible catches of fish and other aquatic animals, the regime and regulation of fishing in fishery water bodies of international, republican significance and water bodies of protected areas, as well as assessing the state of fish resources in reserve water bodies of local significance (Fisheries Committee of MoA RK).

From December 17 to 19, 2024, the 8th meeting of the Commission on the conservation and rational use of aquatic biological resources and management of their joint stocks is being held at the Volga-Caspian branch of the Russian State Scientific Center of Fisheries and Oceanography (Astrakhan).

The delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan includes:

1. Bakhiyanov A.K., Acting Chairman of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
2. Isbekov K.B., General Director of FishRPC, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
3. Kadimov E.L., Director of the Atyrau branch of FishRPC;
4. Klimov F.V., Executive Director of KAPE LLP, PhD in Biology.

On the agenda

• Discussion of the implementation of the points of the Protocol of the 7th meeting of the Commission;
• Reports of the Parties for 2023 on the use of catch quotas, on the reproduction and protection of fish resources and a discussion of the state of aquatic biological resources based on marine research;
• Discussion of the minutes of the meeting of the Working Group on Research and Aquaculture;
• Consideration of the issue of extending the ban on commercial fishing of sturgeon fish species in the Caspian Sea;
• Approval of quotas (volumes) for the catch of joint aquatic biological resources for 2025;
• Discussion of the issue of joint research work in the Caspian Sea;
• Discussion of the issue of joint releases of sturgeon fish fry from artificial reproduction;
• Discussion of the issue of the possibility of amending the Agreement on the conservation and rational use of aquatic biological resources of the Caspian Sea.

At the end of the meeting, the Commission’s Protocol will be drawn up and signed.

      From December 14 to 15, 2024, Deputy General Director Asylbekova S.Zh. and Senior Researcher of the Aquaculture Laboratory Bulavina N.B. are carrying out work to collect biological material for genetic research and data on the morphological characteristics of the replacement broodstock of the Irtysh sterlet, formed within the framework of the project: “Development and implementation of biotechnical methods for the formation of replacement broodstock of rare and endangered fish species in the conditions of fish farms in Kazakhstan, taking into account their genetic structure according to the Scientific and Technical Progress of Aquaculture. This replacement broodstock is being adapted to the conditions of the RAS at the fish hatchery of OST Fish LLP. The adaptation and effectiveness of domestication of the Irtysh sterlet population is also monitored. The research is planned for three years (2024-2026), the work is ongoing.

      Previously, there was no need to form the Irtysh sterlet replacement broodstock and the preservation of natural populations was supported by environmental measures. However, the anthropogenic impact on natural populations has reached such proportions (in the form of poaching and the consequences of channel regulation) that its numbers can be maintained, as well as saved from complete destruction, only through targeted work to support natural reproduction with artificial ones.

            From December 9 to 14, a scientific and practical seminar is being held at the Khamit SPC in the FISH SCHOOL aquaculture training center for entrepreneurs and fish farmers on the topic of “Technologies for growing valuable fish species”.

          Within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation concluded between the FishRPC and the Khamit SPC, the seminar was conducted by a research associate of the aquaculture laboratory of the FishRPC, A. U. Umirtayeva.

         During the seminar, listeners will get acquainted with traditional technologies for growing valuable fish species in the conditions of fish farms in Kazakhstan, with innovative technologies for cultivating promising aquaculture objects, as well as with measures of state support for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the fishing industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and learned how to prepare business plans. Practical classes were held at the pond farm of the SPC “Khamit”, the cage farm of TOO “Vita”, the lake-commercial fish farm “Sultan”, the basin farm of IP “Baiterek” and the fish processing factory of the SPC “Khamit”.