“Trends and Innovations in the Fishery Industry 2025: Key Outcomes from the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia”
A seminar titled “Trends and Innovations in the Fishery Industry 2025: Key Outcomes from the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia” was held at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, where experiences from the recent exhibition and forum on fisheries, fish products, and related technologies in Saint Petersburg, Russia, were shared. As a member of the Association of Caspian Universities, the university’s delegation participated in the international event and presented the institution’s ongoing work in this field.
The seminar featured the Chairman of the Board - Rector of Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, S.N. Idrissov; Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and International Relations at Astrakhan State Technical University, Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, Professor I.Yu. Kvyatkovskaya; and Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Professional Competencies at Astrakhan State Technical University, Ph.D., Associate Professor E.V. Chertina. They shared professional observations from their participation in the forum and exhibition, as well as best practices from the global fishery community, discussing them with faculty members and students.
It is worth noting that Atyrau University is among the five higher education institutions in Kazakhstan that train specialists in fisheries. Due to the high demand for professionals in this sector, the number of students enrolling in the specialty has been increasing annually. According to Artur Sadibekuly, Deputy Head of the Interregional Basin Fishery Inspectorate of the Fisheries Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, artificial fish breeding is currently considered a highly promising direction. The region now has five fish-breeding facilities, and by 2028, projects are planned to establish eight commercial fish farms and modernize one fish processing plant. The development strategy for the fisheries sector focuses on three areas: industrial fish farming, conservation of natural fish stocks, and processing and marketing of fish products. Special attention is being given to introducing AI into the industry, which will be implemented in the near future. In addition to attracting future specialists, faculty researchers are tasked with projects such as cleaning the Ural River, producing fish products, and even preparing fish-based meals for children, among other research topics. Therefore, currently proposed scientific projects in fisheries have a high potential for approval and funding.
At the seminar, Gulshat Shaidullina, Head of the Atyrau Sturgeon Breeding Plant, noted that some young specialists leave the industry due to its challenging nature. Altynbek Balkhayev, Senior Specialist at the Mangystau Regional Fisheries Department, shared insights from his work, highlighting that he is an Atyrau University graduate. Gulshat Zhumatova, Head of the “Caspian” Comprehensive Research and Monitoring Laboratory, shared her impressions and advice from attending the “Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia-2025.” Additionally, Sofia Sagyndykova, a university researcher who proposed a patent for a fish product, shared valuable ideas on industry development.
The seminar also discussed the introduction of dual education programs with universities in Astrakhan that train fisheries specialists, launching “Double Degree” programs, enabling graduates of the city’s agrotechnical college to continue studies at Atyrau University, and the possibility of transferring updated equipment from local fish enterprises to the university for student training.