Within the framework of the Scientific and Technical Program “Development and Implementation of Innovative Technologies and New Aquaculture Objects that are Economically Efficient under the Natural and Climatic Conditions of Various Regions of Kazakhstan,” the second year of research under the project “Testing and Implementation of Effective Biotechnical Methods for Rearing Promising Aquaculture Species in Fish Farms of Kazakhstan with Their Genetic Identification Using DNA Markers” is nearing completion at the base fish farm LLP “Kapshagai NVH-1973.”

As a result of the research work, domestication of tench (Tinca tinca) caught from a natural population (Lake Kyrykkurdyk) to artificial rearing conditions was carried out. Biotechnical methods for growing commercial tench and the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii under industrial conditions were developed, and the genetic identification of tench using DNA markers was performed. Upon completion of the work, the research objects — tench and Macrobrachium rosenbergii — were transported to the Balkhash branch of LLP “Fisheries Research and Production Center.”

From October 16 to 18, a control harvest of the RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) is being conducted at the fish-farming site of the Balkhash Branch of LLP “FRPC,” along with grading (bonitation) of tench and Macrobrachium rosenbergii transferred for wintering from LLP “Kapshagai NVH-1973.”

The work involves the program supervisor, Deputy Head of the Science Department, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor S.Zh. Asylbekova; Acting Head of the Complex Fisheries Laboratory F.A. Altayeva; Head of the Expeditionary Unit D.O. Tagayev; A.T. Satbek; and Senior Laboratory Assistant Z.S. Seitpatkalov.

On October 10, 2025, a large-scale anniversary event was held in the Aral district of the Kyzylorda region to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Aral State Fishery Trust — the enterprise that laid the foundation for Kazakhstan’s fishing industry.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, S. Sermaganbetov, Akim of the Aral district A. Ongarbayev, representatives of government bodies, industry veterans and specialists, members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, deputies of regional and district maslikhats, as well as public figures, members of the intelligentsia, labor veterans, and fisheries experts who arrived especially from Astana, Almaty, Kyzylorda, Irgiz and Kazalinsky district.

At the ceremonial meeting, a report was presented by the Deputy General Director of LLP “Fisheries Research and Production Center,” PhD T.T. Barakbaev. He spoke about the contribution of the scientific center to the development of regional fisheries.

The report was devoted to the topic “The Current State of Commercial Fish Farming in Our Region and the Condition of Water Bodies Used for Commercial Fish Breeding.” It provided a detailed overview of issues related to scientifically grounded industry development, the rational use of water resources, and the introduction of technologies for the artificial breeding of rare fish species.

In addition, a tree-planting ceremony was held at the Fishermen’s Alley in the city of Aral — an important event aimed at improving the region’s ecology and expressing gratitude to the fishing community.

Guests also visited several fish processing enterprises in the Aral district, including the “Aral SZC” plant, which has an annual production capacity of 7,000 tons. They familiarized themselves with the production process and noted the high quality of finished products intended for export.

Since September 5, 2025, up to the present, employees of LLP “«Fisheries Research and Production Center»– S. Karlybayuly, Zh. Bakkozha, B. S. Pangereev, and N. K. Sakharin – have been conducting scientific research in the Alakol lake system.

The research is carried out within the framework of budget programs.

At present, the expedition team is performing the following tasks:

• collection of ichthyological material and analysis of the main biological indicators of fish;
• study of the composition of the commercial ichthyofauna of the reservoirs;
• analysis of the commercial catch indicators of users at the assigned fishing areas.

The work is carried out with the participation of the chief specialist of the Alakol Department of Fisheries Inspection – Sh. Kullenova.

Scientific research in the Alakol lake system continues

Modern aquaculture is a high-tech industry that is actively developing through the integration of scientific achievements and practical production. One of the key factors for the successful and sustainable growth of fish farming is effective collaboration between production enterprises and research institutions.

Joint projects between fish farms and scientific organizations make it possible to introduce advanced methods of water quality and fish health monitoring, breeding and reproduction using biotechnologies and cutting-edge innovations. Particularly important are developments aimed at introducing new species into aquaculture in Kazakhstan, revising technologies for the cultivation of traditional species in line with technological progress, as well as addressing issues of biodiversity conservation in our water bodies.

📍 For this purpose, employees of the National Research Center for Fisheries (LLP “NRCF”), including Deputy Head of the Science Department, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor S.Zh. Assylbekov, Head of the Aquaculture Laboratory N.B. Bulavina, and Researcher of the Aquaculture Laboratory, PhD G.M. Maratova, visited LLP “AgroAquaComplex.”

The fish farming site of LLP “AgroAquaComplex” is located in Almaty region, village Baidibek bi. Coordinates: latitude 43°31’34.67”N, longitude 77°41’3.91”E.

The main target species for cultivation at the site include carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and sturgeon species (particularly Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii).

Water supply for the fish farming site comes from small rivers formed by springs and groundwater, provided mainly by gravity flow. To prevent fish from escaping the ponds, protective nets are installed at water inlets and outlets. The water flow rate in the ponds can be regulated.

Water discharge from the ponds flows into drainage channels and is subsequently used for irrigation of fields located downstream of the farm.

There are no sources of anthropogenic impact or factors negatively affecting the environment in the area of the LLP “AgroAquaComplex” fish farm.

Within the framework of the research and technological progress (IRN BR2359l 095), the project: “Modeling the state of stocks in inland commercial waters with the development of a software package and domestic methodological recommendations for accounting for the number of fish and calculating the maximum permissible catch” TOO “Company of systems research “Factor” is developing an information system for calculations and assessment of fish stocks.

Today, the general director of TOO “Company of systems research “Factor”, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences Gabbasov Mars Bekkalievich held an online seminar on the topic: “Annual multi-species cohort mathematical models for assessing stocks of fish resources”.

The seminar considered:

1. Mathematical modeling of stocks;
2. Single-species difference model of Schaefer;
3. Multi-species difference model of Schaefer;
4. Multi-species model for age groups;
5. Multispecies cohort model for each age of fish;
6. Mutual influence of fish species;
7. Equations for predatory fish species for a dynamic model;
8. Equations for predatory fish species for a semi-dynamic model;
9. Influence of environmental factors.

On August 20, 2025, at the headquarters of LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center», a working meeting was held on the implementation of research and development (R&D) for the 3rd quarter of 2025 within the framework of targeted financing programs for 2024–2026:
“Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture objects.”
“Comprehensive studies of water bodies for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources.”

The meeting was chaired by Saule Zhangirovna Assylbekova, Deputy General Director of LLP “FishRPC”, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Saule Zhangirovna Assylbekova, who emphasized the practical importance of scientific projects for the development of fisheries in Kazakhstan.

During the session, project leaders presented their reports, the implementation of target indicators was reviewed, and interim results of the R&D were summarized. Based on the discussions, recommendations were made to improve the quality of research, and priority tasks for the 3rd quarter of 2025 were identified.

On August 19, 2025, a meeting of the IV Business Council between Kazakhstan and Jordan was held in an online format. During the meeting, the prospects for bilateral cooperation in key areas were discussed: pharmaceuticals, trade and logistics, agriculture and tourism.

A report on the topic “Overview of fisheries and aquaculture in Kazakhstan: current status and future” was made by R.T. Barakov, Senior Researcher at the Aquaculture Laboratory. In his speech, he noted the role of research as a strategic driver for the development of the industry, emphasizing the importance of applied research and projects implemented jointly with business representatives.

Particular attention was paid to the integration of science and business in Kazakhstan and Jordan in solving global challenges – food security, water scarcity and the effects of climate change.

The Council became a platform for strengthening partnerships and developing joint solutions aimed at sustainable development.

From July 28 to August 4, 2025, employees of the FishRPC carried out the following comprehensive research work on the Lower and Middle Kolsay lakes located in the specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of the Kolsay Kolderi State National Nature Park (SNNP) :

– collection of hydrochemical samples and field and laboratory research;

– collection of hydrobiological samples during the growing season (zooplankton, phytoplankton and zoobenthos);

– sampling of natural reproduction of rainbow trout fry with a drag in shallow waters on the Kolsai lakes;

– setting a net to assess commercial fish stocks.

The Lower and Middle Kolsai lakes are located in the Almaty region. On the Kolsai lakes, complex research work has been carried out by the FishRPC since 2017.

From July 14, 2025 to the present, scientific employees of the FishRPC have been conducting field research in the Alakol lake system. The duration of each specialist’s mission varied from 14 to 33 days, depending on the tasks performed.

The head of the expeditionary team is Karlybayuly S., the team also includes: head of the Expeditionary team Minat A., researcher Igilik R., junior research workers Otegen S. and Maratuly K., senior researcher Amirbekova F. T. and laboratory assistant-driver Abishev N. B.

The work is carried out within the framework of the scientific program in the direction of the budget program 021, section – Alakol lake system.

Main research areas:

• collection of ichthyological, hydrobiological and hydrochemical material;
• assessment of the current state of commercial fish species in the Alakol lake system;
• sampling of zooplankton, phytoplankton, zoobenthos and fish food supply;
• collection of data on abiotic factors affecting the vital activity of aquatic animals;
• research justification of permissible volumes of fish resource extraction.

Research is carried out along routes approved within the framework of the research program. To ensure the safety of the expedition, the group is equipped with the necessary equipment and communications equipment. Field and laboratory work is currently ongoing.

By order of the Chairman of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. S. Sermagambetov, Almat  Suyubaev has been appointed as the Head of LLP “Fisheries Research and Production Center”

Almat Sagintaevich was born in 1975. He began his professional career in 1997 as a referent in the Department for Caspian Sea Affairs and Regional Cooperation of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 1997 to 2003, he progressed from the position of referent to First Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Between 2003 and 2012, he served as a secretary at the embassies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Geneva.

From 2012 to 2016, he held the position of Advisor at the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Istanbul.

From 2017 to 2019, he served as Deputy Akim (Governor) of Saryagash District.

Between 2020 and 2021, he held the positions of Deputy Head and then Head of the Territorial Inspectorate of Forestry and Wildlife for the Turkestan and Almaty regions under the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2021 to 2025, he honorably served as the Head of the Balkhash-Alakol Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

We wish the General Director great success in his new role!