A research vessel has been launched, specifically to strengthen research into commercial and other stocks in Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest body of fresh water.
This comes as part of a Russian government initiative, and Federal Agency for Fisheries head Ilya Shestakov was present to mark the launch of the new research vessel Vikenty Zaitsev in Irkutsk.
It is expected to operate as part of the federal Lake Baikal Preservation initiative, which has restoring the stock of omul, a key species for human consumption
‘It is important to have a vessel of this standard operating on Lake Baikal. It will allow for full-scale research into the resources of Lake Baikal, as well as more accurately predict what will happen to its ecological state, since scientists will conduct not only resource surveys, but other types of research together with the Russian Academy of Sciences,’ said Ilya Shestakov.
The vessel will be equipped to conduct research to assess stocks, including Baikal omul. The data obtained will enable development of the second stage of the omul population restoration program.
The vessel is named after Vikenty Petrovich Zaitsev, who headed research organisation VNIRO between 1956 and 1962, and who made a great contribution to the development of marine science on Lake Baikal.
The project on Lake Baikal aims to preserve the biodiversity of its unique ecosystem, while restoring sustainable fishing to provide jobs and to develop recreational tourism. Omul is a key commercial species for the economy of the Baikal regions.
