Omani-Russian Webinar: New Horizons of Cooperation

On April 10, 2025, the first webinar between researchers from the A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (IBSS) and the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University took place.

Omani scientists presented a series of compelling studies on biotechnology, harmful algal blooms, biofouling, aquaculture, and the genetics of marine organisms. In turn, Russian specialists reported on ongoing research at the Institute focusing on microalgae, including developments in obtaining bioactive compounds from hydrobionts and creating functional food supplements and products with beneficial properties for humans. Natalia Pospelova, the leading research associate of the Department of Aquaculture and Marine Pharmacology, delivered on the production of bioleaching active substances from marine plants and their application in land reclamation, veterinary medicine, and agriculture.

“The presentation by scientists from the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas also included research directly relevant to the Sultanate of Oman. For instance, Sergey Piontkovsky, chief researcher at the Plankton Department, spoke on the topic of ‘Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries in Oman.’ Additionally, Mikhail Chesalin, senior researcher at the Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, informed colleagues about the possibilities of breeding fish, bivalve mollusks, and crabs in the mangrove thickets and coastal lagoons of the country,” reported Andrey Faerman, Head of the International Relations Department. Participants identified numerous opportunities for joint projects, such as extracting bioactive compounds from fish waste and algae, developing small-scale aquaculture farms, studying bioluminescence, and more.

In conclusion, both sides discussed further steps to enhance cooperation, including mutual participation in upcoming conferences, seminars, and other events organized by the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas and Sultan Qaboos University.

In February 2025, a delegation from the IBSS, led by Director Roman Gorbunov, visited the Sultanate of Oman, where they held several significant meetings, including with representatives from Sultan Qaboos University, such as Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, Assistant Dean for Marine Sciences and Fisheries, and Sergey Dobretsov, Director of the Marine Biotechnology Center. They also met with Ammar Salim Ahmed Al-Ghassani, founder and CEO of the Sixth Ocean International Foundation, and Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri, Environment Authority Chairman.