All news
Whale rib and spotted woodpecker: PINRO scientists complete voyage in Barents Sea
The PINRO scientists' trip as part of the annual study of ecosystems has ended in the Barents Sea. These studies will allow collecting initial data for assessing commercial stocks and developing recommendations for the removal of fish and invertebrates in the coming years, the press service of the Polar Institute reported.
It is assumed that the work was carried out by the research vessel Vilnius in the vast waters of the exclusive economic zone of Russia, open parts of the Barents Sea and the exclusive economic zone of Norway.
"Experts conducted research to study the distribution and estimate the abundance of commercial fish, and also estimated the current abundance and biomass of pelagic and bottom fish and commercial invertebrates in 2024," PINRO said.
During the voyage, scientists conducted oceanographic studies that helped to more accurately assess the processes occurring in the Barents Sea ecosystem and make forecasts for the next two years. Therefore, samples were taken to determine the content of microplastic particles in fish tissue and water, and then zooplankton samples were collected to analyze the pollution of commercial aquatic organisms.
— In routine scientific work, unexpected events sometimes occur. Thus, during a voyage on one of the trawlers, whale ribs were discovered, presumably a minke whale, experts said.
The work will now be the subject of an exhibition dedicated to the history and research at the Polar Institute.
— When the ship was 300 kilometers from the nearest coastal point, an exhausted and weakened Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on the deck. Scientists rescued the bird, helped it recover and safely delivered it to shore, PINRO emphasized.
Read: Murmansk Wants to Allow Construction of 17-Story Building: Discussion Document