NAO Expedition to Study Walruses

 

From Naryan-Mar complex expedition started "Investigation Atlantic walrus habitat" for the study of animal southeastern Barents Sea.

The expedition of seven experts on the research vessel "Kartesh" organized by the Council on Marine Mammals (CMM). It also involved experts WWF. The route will pass it on to the delta of the Pechora. Vaigach, the press service of the CMM.

Members of the expedition are planning to mark the satellite transmitters at least ten animals, and to obtain information from the photographic set last year. Work carried out in the framework of cooperation agreements with CMM State Nature Reserve "Nenets" and the Norwegian Polar Institute. Undoubtedly, these scientific data will be needed in the evaluation of human impact on the ecosystem of the Barents Sea.

"This is the third season, when we are working on the satellite tagging of walruses on. Vaygach. The results of these studies have already shown that walruses are actively exploring a relatively small area between Novaya Zemlya, Vaigach Island and the islands that are part of "Nenets" reserve. This should be taken into account in the economic development of the region. First of all, it is exploration, production and transportation of hydrocarbons ", - said expedition member Varvara Semenova, project coordinator of the Marine Mammal Council.

This project - the continuation of the study of Atlantic walruses in the southern part of the Barents Sea, the CMM launched a few years ago. For example, last year, experts have managed to establish animal ten satellite transmitters, some of whom have worked for more than 3 months.

This year is also expected to expand the range of works from the collection of more biological samples and increasing the number photorecorder at coastal rookeries.