Conference «Aktau Dialogue: Green Hydrogen – 2025»
From the 1st to 3rd of October, the International Conference “Aktau Dialogue: Green Hydrogen 2025” was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan. It was organized by Kazakh-German Institute for Sustainable Engineering, Kazakh-German University, and Sh. Yessenov University. Representatives of research institutions, universities, government agencies, and public organizations from Kazakhstan and Germany participated in the event.
Presentations, speeches, and discussions were focused on three main topics: environmental challenges for the Caspian Sea, biomonitoring and conservation of marine bioresources in the face of anthropogenic pressure and climate change; the development of green hydrogen technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; and strengthening the academic partnership between countries.
On the second conference day, at Environmental Challenges for the Caspian Sea Session, Assel Baimukanova, a researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, gave a report on the status of the Caspian seal population. A. Baimukanova presented a comprehensive analysis of threatens facing this endemic species – the Caspian’s only marine mammal. Particular attention was paid to the impact of sea regression on the species. The Caspian Sea level decline is merging key island haul-out sites with the mainland, making them unsuitable for seals. Animals have to migrate in search for new islands. Assel presented results of biological research conducted by the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology. Assessment of fish diet during hauling-outs shows that Caspian seals feed mainly on 28 fish species, primarily gobies and big-scale sand smelt (read more detailed information on Frontiers in Marine Science).
Age determination of dead animals’ tusks, conducted by the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, reveals a disturbing trend: the maximum lifespan of the Caspian seal has decreased from 50 years (in the 1970s) to less than 30 years (currently). Marine pollution damages many organs in the seal’s body (kidneys, heart, lungs, spleen), indicating a profound disruption of vital functions and potentially leading to death.
In conclusion of her report, A. Baimukanova proposed a comprehensive approach to protecting the Caspian seal, including key measures (combating marine debris, etc.) and scientific research of this unique species, which is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and is included in the national Red Books of all five Caspian countries.
Sources: Kazakh-German University, the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology.
In the top photo: International Conference «Aktau Dialogue: Green Hydrogen – 2025», October 1-3, 2025. Sh. Yessenov University, Aktau, Kazakhstan.