Nornickel and the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) signed a cooperation agreement at the 9th Global Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg.
The partners agreed to collaborate on scientific and practical activities aimed at the conservation, reproduction, and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources and their habitats.
The primary focus will be on the comprehensive study of aquatic biological resources and ecosystems in the Far North, providing scientific support for the conservation and reproduction of these resources, addressing biodiversity issues, and conducting research on biodiversity preservation.
The signing of this agreement is a logical continuation of the long-standing partnership between Nornickel and VNIRO. Since 2023, with Nornickel’s support, VNIRO scientists have been conducting large-scale research on the Norilo-Pyasinskaya water system in Taymyr. During three-year expeditions covering the Pyasina River basin - from the Putorana Plateau to the river's mouth at the Kara Sea - scientists inventoried the fish fauna, studied the food supply and age structure of fish populations, and collected hundreds of samples to analyze for petroleum products and other pollutants. For the first time in 25 years, the Siberian sturgeon was scientifically recorded in the Pyasina, and relict species of living organisms were discovered.
Artificial reproduction of aquatic biological resources has become a distinct area of cooperation. VNIRO’s research provides the scientific basis for identifying priority locations for fish stocking and evaluating the effectiveness of restoration measures.
"We have been supporting VNIRO’s large-scale expeditions for several years and are seeing real results: scientists are recording the return of valuable fish species and gathering unique data on the state of Arctic ecosystems," said Dmitry Pristanskov, Nornickel’s state secretary and vice president for federal government relations.
"Today, we are taking our partnership to a new level and reaffirming our long-term commitment to preserving the biodiversity of the Russian North. I am convinced that through joint efforts, we will establish a solid scientific foundation for responsible environmental management in the Arctic and pass on healthy, thriving waterways to future generations."
"For fisheries science, this agreement is a vital tool for practical action. Thanks to Nornickel’s support, our scientists can now launch large-scale monitoring and conduct comprehensive research in the North. We are not talking about one-off initiatives, but rather in-depth scientific support for the reproduction of whitefish species, such as Arctic char, nelma, and broad whitefish. We are building a scientifically grounded foundation that will ensure the guaranteed and sustainable replenishment of commercial fish stocks in this unique Arctic region," noted Doctor of Economics Kirill Kolonchin, director of VNIRO.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
