Sixth joint survey between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Russian Academy of Sciences in Vietnam"s waters by vessel Akademik Oparin

Vietnamese and Russian scientists take part in the 6th joint VAST-FEBRAS survey using Akademik Oparin.

Although Akademik Oparin met with a storm on the way from Vladivostok Port to Nha Trang, the crew tried to get the vessel docked in Nha Trang in time for the survey. During the survey, despite unfavorable weather conditions, the survey team, which included 15 scientists from VAST institutes (Institute of Oceanography, Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Products Chemistry, Nha Trang Institute of Technology Research and Application, Institute of Space Technology), 3 scientists from the Navy High Command, Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, General Department of Sea and Islands, the Administration of Oil and Gas, and 19 scientists from the Institute of Pacific Organic Biochemistry and the Institute of Marine Biology under RAS, made great efforts to realise their assigned tasks. The survey focused on areas around Phu Quy, Con Dao, Tho Chu, Nam Du and An Thoi Islands and shallow shores on the continental shelf of South Vietnam. Three types of habitat were studied, including coral reefs (using diving technology SCUBA) and deep sea (using rakes or hoes).

At 12 diving locations and 20 specimens or pickers from islands’ surroundings to a depth of 500 metres, Vietnamese and Russian scientists collected 1,064 samples of coral, sponges, holothurians, echinoidea and seaweeds; 314 samples of marine microorganisms and many documents on biodiversity and biological community structure. Specimens were extracted for biochemistry and environmental studies. The deep sea invertebrate specimens will be processed and transferred into the specimens of the Vietnam Museum of Nature.

After the vessel docked in Nha Trang, on July 29, 2018, VAST and RAS held a workshop to evaluate and discuss the results of the survey, as well as to propose the next solutions. Vietnamese and Russian scientists will analyze specimens, study and publish scientific papers on:

- Deep-sea biodiversity.
- Composition of coral and reef fish, structural characteristics of reef communities.
- Heavy metals and antioxidants in molluscs.
- Biologically active substances from marine micro-organisms.
- Initial study on environmental factors involved in ocean acidification.

Seminar on the results of the 6th joint marine survey between VAST and FEBRAS using vessel Akademik Oparin

An increase in the coordination of organization of marine biodiversity surveys in Vietnam with vessel Akademik Oparin, from every 3 years to every 2 years, continues to affirm the good traditional relationship between VAST and the Russian Federation, especially intensive cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences, to develop science and technology and strengthen the capacity of marine scientific research for Vietnam.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version