A system for monitoring the environmental situation and biodiversity of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) based on satellite data is being developed by the Marine Research Center of Lomonosov Moscow State University in cooperation with Rosatom State Corporation, said Alexey Skorina, head of the Advanced Development Department at the Marine Research Center, at the Marine Congress – Far East Forum.
According to him, the system allows monitoring the state and change of the environment in real time, preventing emergencies during navigation and using digital services to support decision-making in the Arctic seas.
Skorina stressed the need to create a state environmental monitoring system in the Arctic as soon as possible due to the growth of cargo traffic and the rapid formation of an infrastructure framework in the NSR.
"We propose to form a guide for sustainable navigation in the Arctic based on the best practices of business and the state. As a first step, it is important to reduce the impact on biota from shipping and, together with all stakeholders, develop measures to preserve biological diversity in such a way that their implementation does not affect the efficiency of economic activities at sea. We have already started such work with partners," Skorina said.
In 2021-2024, the staff of the Central Research Institute of the Moscow State University conducted ecosystem studies throughout the entire water area of the Northern Sea Route, including shipping routes and port zones. Based on these studies, a comprehensive environmental and biodiversity monitoring program was created, which formed the basis of the state environmental monitoring program in the waters of the NSR, www.arcticuniverse.com reports.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
