On the eve of Science Day, leading experts in the field of environmental research in the Arctic gathered at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). They discussed the results of pilot environmental monitoring and the need to create a state monitoring system for the ecosystem of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Scientists have come to the conclusion that only a centralized approach can ensure effective control over the environmental situation in the region.
Today, data on the state of the NSR ecosystem is collected within the framework of various programs: industry-specific (VNIRO), pilot (Rosatom, Central Research Institute of Moscow State University) and incidental (AARI). However, as experts note, these systems do not cover the entire water area, use different techniques and do not have a single database for storing information. This leads to fragmented data, making analysis and decision-making difficult.
Among the key problems, experts highlight the lack of equipment, qualified personnel, weak interdepartmental cooperation and lack of overall coordination. “None of the existing systems takes into account all the specifics of the Arctic and does not cover the necessary monitoring parameters,” emphasized AARI Director Alexander Makarov.
The discussion participants agreed that environmental monitoring of the NSR should be part of the Unified State System. This will allow optimizing control over the environmental situation and fulfilling the strategic objectives set in the NSR development plan until 2035.
AARI has been working on creating such a system since 2022. The Institute proposes to organize at its base the Center for Environmental Monitoring of the SMP, which will coordinate the collection of data, their processing and transfer to state information systems.
Scientists emphasize that monitoring must be systematic, regular and cover the same observation points. “This requires specialized vessels, equipment and a general methodological base,” said Nikolai Shablin, General Director of the Moscow State University Center for Research and Development.
Particular attention is paid to data availability. “Not all organizations publish the results of their research, and for a full analysis, background indicators are needed,” said Olga Kiyko, a representative of the St. Petersburg branch of VNIRO.
The creation of a state monitoring system for the NSR is not only an environmental, but also a socio-economic task. It will contribute to the implementation of the goals of the Development Strategy of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including minimizing the negative impact on the environment and promptly responding to emergency situations.
Experts also emphasize that monitoring should be exclusively governmental. “This should be a program financed from the budget, with clear responsibilities and regulations for interaction between departments,” concluded Vasily Pchelintsev, an expert at the Arctic-Shelf laboratory of the AARI.
The creation of a state system of environmental monitoring of the Northern Sea Route is an important step to ensure the environmental safety of the Arctic. Scientists are confident that only a centralized approach will effectively control the situation and protect the unique nature of the region.
Source: www.aari.ru
Photo: AARI
