Monitoring on Tyub-Karagan Peninsula

Since the end of September, 2024, specialists from the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, Kazakhstan, have been monitoring the coastal zone in the west of the Tyub-Karagan Peninsula. The scientists’ task is to determine what kills the Caspian seal, a rare and endangered species, endemic to the Caspian Sea, protected by all Caspian countries since 2020. The research site was not chosen by chance. Several times a year, the Caspian Sea waves wash up dead seals on the peninsula. The last incident of mass mortality was reported by Fisheries Committee, Ministry of Agriculture RK, in March-April, 2024.

The expedition members daily inspect the coast (from Bautino to Fort-Shevchenko, and further south), observe the sea area from a boat using a UAV. On October 10, 6 dead seals were found on the Caspian coast (their registration points are marked in yellow on the map below). A few found females were pregnant. Biological samples were taken from the animals to determine their age and causes of death.

The expedition continues. This scientific research is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. BR23591095).

Source: the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, Kazakhstan.
In the top photo: the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology’s expedition camp, the Tyub-Karagan Peninsula, the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, September-October, 2024. Photo by IGE.