The Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) recently completed a comprehensive trawl survey of red king crab in the Barents Sea within Russia's exclusive economic zone.
The survey was conducted using Professor Boyko, the research vessel of the VNIRO's Polar Branch. The work covered the southern part of the Barents Sea, including key areas of domestic fishing.
During the voyage, specialists conducted 102 oceanographic and 99 trawl surveys. With the help of a bottom trawl, according to the annual scheme at repeatable positions, data were collected on the biological state of the king crab and pelagic fish species as well as on the features of their spatial distribution.
Scientists studied the size and sex composition of the crab, its sexual maturity, fertility, the condition of the integument, diseases and parasitic fauna.
In parallel, hydrobiological and oceanographic studies, monitoring of benthic communities and analysis of indicator species of vulnerable ecosystems were also undertaken.
Special attention was paid to the assessment of pollution of the habitat and hydrobionts. VNIRO said this information will be useful for biochemical and technological research.
The collected materials will help scientists assess the commercial stock, make forecasts of different lead times, and prepare recommendations for regulating the fishery.