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!

Today, the Chairman of the Fisheries Committee S. Sermagambetov paid a working visit to the LLP «Fisheries Research and Production Center» (FishRPC). During the visit, he introduced the appointed General Director of the LLP «FishRPC», Almat Sagyntaevich Suyubaev, to the staff.

The Chairman held a meeting with the employees of the center and expressed gratitude to Kuanysh Baibolatovich Isbekov, who led the center for 17 years.

“Kuanysh Baibolatovich is a qualified specialist and experienced manager who has made a significant contribution to the development of the country’s fisheries for almost 30 years, including 17 years of successful management of the scientific and production center. During his management, issues of financing research projects were resolved, the material and technical base of the institution was significantly strengthened. The fisheries development program was implemented systematically, international cooperation with countries such as China, the USA, and Turkey was strengthened,” the Chairman of the Committee noted.

 After introducing the new head of the research center to the staff, he added:

“Almat Sagyntaevich is an experienced manager and specialist who has successfully worked in government and international structures. He has proven himself to be a responsible employee who is capable of fulfilling assignments within the established deadlines. I am confident that as a high-potential employee, he will professionally fulfill his duties,” said S. Sermagambetov

During the trip, the chairman and the new general director got acquainted with the current activities of the center, visited laboratories and departments, discussed the relevance of research in the field of fisheries, a number of industry problems, as well as the progress of the Fisheries Development Program for 2021-2030.

From March 14 to the present, the staff of the ichthyology laboratory of the LLP «FishRPC» (Head of the expeditionary team – Igilik R., Head of the ichthyology laboratory – Sansyzbayev E.T., and manager of the administrative and economic department –Iskakov A.B.) have been conducting scientific research in local water bodies of the Zhambyl Region under programs 021 (subprogram 100) and 267 (subprogram 101).

The purpose of the work is to conduct research to assess the state of commercial resources and the distribution of fish and other aquatic biological resources in the water area of local water bodies of the Zhambyl region.

Currently, the expedition team is conducting out the following activities:

– physical-geographical and hydrological characteristics of water bodies;

– analysis of hydrochemical parameters;

– analysis of the state of the food supply of fish in water bodies;

– determination of the species composition of fish resources in water bodies.

The ichthyofauna of almost all fishery reservoirs in Kazakhstan has undergone reconstruction, as a result of which the bulk of commercial fish in inland waters is 50-90% acclimatized fish. Therefore, the issues of sustainable use of fish resources come to the fore, ensuring the preservation of the reproductive potential of not only traditional fisheries, but also the maximum possible preservation of biological diversity and the prevention of the penetration and spread of invasive fish species.

In the modern world, the conservation of natural resources and biological diversity is of great importance. Analysis of biological diversity helps to understand which species are at risk and need protection. This allows us to take measures to preserve ecosystems and their sustainability.

A comprehensive analysis of the structure and dynamics of biological diversity of aquatic ecosystems is an important component of bioresource management. It shows the possibility of optimizing use, increasing the productivity of exploited communities and approaches to their protection and conservation.

The study of these issues is the subject of the project ” Analysis of biological diversity, molecular genetic identification of alien species and assessment of the resistance of hydrobiocenoses of fishery water bodies to external influences” of the research and technical program “Comprehensive studies 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”, completed by order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. BR23591095). During the implementation of this project, a collective monograph  «Современное состояние сообществ гидробионтов основных рыбохозяйственных бассейнов Республики Казахстан» will be published.

The collective monograph presents the results of studies of the state and sustainability of the main fishery basins of Kazakhstan: Zhaiyk-Caspian, Aral-Syrdarya, Yertis and Balkhash-Alakol. The work is intended for researchers, specialists in the field of fisheries and students of biological, environmental and agricultural specialties. The publication of the monograph is scheduled for September 2025.