Scientists from Russia and Canada to research fishing zones in Arctic

The respective agreement has been made between the Russian side and the Newfoundland and Labrador Directorate of Canada's Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans.

The Canadian side has showed its readiness and interest in organization of mutual research operations in the scientific centre of Newfoundland with its own laboratories, an aquarium, three scientific and research vessels and many unique technologies of data collection and processing. The mutual project is to take off in May 2011.

The sides will create a constant bilateral working group on cooperation of the scientists who will focus on the fishery issues important for the both countries and problems of international fishing practices.

Priorities issues include exploitation of sea fields in the zone of increased biological efficiency and fishery activity, strengthening of anthropogenic impact on fishing eco-systems and measures on fish stocks conservation, forecast and evaluation of climatic changes on possible shift of active fishing zones to the areas of developing oil and gas operations.

Besides, Russia is interested in scientific exchange in the sphere of Arctic fishery, aquaculture and mariculture.

Newfoundland and Labrador Directorate is ready to conduct the first meeting of scientists of both countries and towards that end to invite 3-4 representatives of leading Russian fishery institutes to Canada.