On April 17–18, 2025, the city of Astana is hosting the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Experience and Prospects for the Development of Ornamental and Commercial Aquaculture.” The conference is organized by the Ailand Oceanarium (LLP “Ailand Astana”) and is held in a mixed offline/online format.

The program for the first day of the conference includes:

• Presentations within the aquaristics section;
• Presentations within the aquaculture section.

The General Director of LLP “Scientific and Production Center for Fisheries,” Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, and Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kuanish Baibolatovich Isbekov, delivered a presentation titled: “Breeding of Rare and Valuable Fish Species for the Purpose of Preserving Kazakhstan’s Biodiversity.”

The Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a meeting chaired by the head of the department, Serik Sermagambetov. The event was attended by heads of interregional basin inspections, structural departments, and subordinate organizations.

During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of state support measures for the industry, strengthening efforts to attract investments, the introduction of digital e-Fish control tools, as well as the implementation of programs for stocking reservoirs, fulfilling state orders for the artificial reproduction of fish resources, and modernizing the production base of fish hatcheries were discussed. Special attention was paid to cooperation with local executive bodies, combating poaching, and anti-corruption measures.

Following the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee issued a number of instructions to the heads of interregional basin inspections and subordinate organizations aimed at developing the fishing industry.

From March 17 to March 19, 2025, an academic/Coordinating Council is taking place at the head office (Almaty) of the Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries to review and approve research and development work programs for scientific and technical programs for 2024-2026. The meeting is held in a hybrid format, bringing together participants both in person in the hall and online.

The meeting is attended by representatives of the Fisheries Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as key partners—co-implementing organizations of the programs:

NAO “Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University named after S. Seifullin”;

Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP;

Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology;

Scientific and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology LLP;

Factor System Research Company LLP;

On the agenda:

Review of work programs on the topic: “Development and implementation of innovative technologies and new aquaculture facilities that are economically effective in the natural and climatic conditions of various regions of Kazakhstan,” Program leader: Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan S.Zh. Asylbekova;

Review of work programs on the topic: “Comprehensive studies of reservoirs for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources based on an assessment of their potential and modeling of stock dynamics,” Program leader: PhD, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.B. Isbekov;

Consideration of work programs on the topic: “Determining the fish productivity of fisheries reservoirs and/or their sites, developing biological justifications for maximum allowable catches of fish and other aquatic animals, the regime and regulation of fishing in fisheries reservoirs of international and national significance, as well as assessing the state of fish resources in reserve reservoirs of local importance.” Program manager: Director of the Aral branch, PhD T.T. Barakbaev;

Other issues (reports on the activities of the SMU, the Trade Union Committee, reports on the implementation of the scientific publication plan, doctoral students’ reports).

Upon completion of the meetings, all work programs will be sent for approval to the General Director of LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center».

From March 3 to 6, 2025, specialists from the Hydrobiology Laboratory of LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» held a training seminar on the topic “Enhancing Work Quality through Research Standardization.”

During this period, A.D. Omralinova, a junior researcher at the comprehensive laboratory of the Northern Branch, together with Zh.O. Mazhibayeva, PhD, Head of the Hydrobiology Laboratory, M.O. Aubakirova, PhD, L.A. Zhdanko, researcher, and Sh.T. Tursinaly, senior laboratory assistant, conducted research on the identification of various groups of zoobenthic and zooplanktonic invertebrates.

For four days, seminar participants exchanged views and experiences in the field of hydrobiological research. In addition, many issues related to identifying the taxonomic composition of microscopic aquatic organisms in reservoirs in the northern part of the republic were resolved.

Scan семинар 2025 г.

Today, March 3, 2025, in Atyrau, an off-site meeting of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held on the topic “Strong Regional Science – Strong Region”, with the participation of the President of the Academy, A.K. Kurishbaev.

During the meeting, issues related to the development of regional science, strengthening the link between science and production, and discussing regional priorities for the development of science and technology aimed at addressing the technological challenges of the industry and regional issues were considered.

The meeting was attended by E.L. Kadimov, Director of the Atyrau branch, and G.G. Dzhunusova, Research Associate, from FRaPC LLP. At the exhibition held as part of the event, FRaPC LLP presented sturgeon species grown at the Aktau Balyk LLP fish breeding complex as part of a scientific research program.

On February 26, 2025, Almaty hosted the awarding ceremony for laureates of prizes and state scientific scholarships in the field of science. The ceremony was held at the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event was attended by Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Academician, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Board – Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University Akylbek Kurishbayev, scientists and university professors.

Since May 2024, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been working to create a list of young scientists (up to and including 40 years old) in need of housing. About 300 applications have been received from scientific organizations and universities subordinate to government agencies located in Almaty. In pursuance of the President’s instructions, the commission for the allocation of apartments for young scientists of scientific organizations, organizations of higher and postgraduate education to provide housing in Almaty has identified another list of young scientists in need of housing. Our researcher at the aquaculture laboratory, Efim Bulavin, is also included in this list.

Akylbek Kurishbayev personally awarded the laureates of the state scientific scholarships and noted the contribution of each laureate to the development of science and education.

Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin was acquainted with the work of the fish farm «Zhumabay», located in the Talsuat rural district.

During the visit, the Vice Minister visited several facilities aimed at developing the fisheries industry in the Aral region and met with industry specialists.  During the visit, he visited the fish-processing factory LLP «Aral Seafood» in Aralsk city, where he was acquainted with the deep processing technology of the enterprise.

Moreover, Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin explored the work of the State Enterprise «Kamystybas Fish Hatchery» in the Kozharsky rural district and find the implemented projects for the development of the fisheries of Lake Kamystybas. The Vice Minister noted that the referred requirements will be taken into account in order to develop design and estimate documentation for the reconstruction of fish hatcheries throughout the republic.

At the end of the visit, Vice Minister Amangali Berdalin held a meeting with entrepreneurs involved in fisheries at the Olympic and additional education center «Kamystybas». During the meeting, issues of developing fisheries of region, ways of its further improvement were discussed, and proposals from industry specialists were heard.

The Vice Minister emphasized the importance of state support in the development of agriculture and fisheries, noting that work in this direction will be intensively continued.

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.