CASPIAN SEA ECOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER

1.Department of Planning and Technology

2.Aquaculture Department

3.Ecology Department

4.Biology and Stock Assessment Department

5.Fish disease Department

6.Biotechnology Department

1. Department of Planning and Technology

Today develops in science and technology that is such a way that needed that all the latest information and scientific researchers to communicate via the database and usage of laboratory computer systems, audiovisual (multimedia) and translation units should be provided which internet to be used for fisheries researchers and experts to reach the latest scientific findings.

Establish the seminars, lectures, and papers are objectives of this department.

1. Library

Academy’s library bears 1915 reports in Persian documents, 240 reports in Latin documents, 610 title of Persian articles, 752 title of Latin articles, 208 Persian dissertation (theses),16 title of Latin dissertation (theses),,1568 title of Persian books, and 1365 title of Latin book forgiving experts and researchers

2. Computer Unit

It is include in software support section and specialized labs, setting of linked network between ports, submitting full of time on internet for obtaining about the latest of research findings

3. Vision and auditory unit

Providing photo or picture from research projects construction affair and participate in province and national fairs or meetings for submitting Academy achievements

2. Aquaculture Department

Range of activities in Aquaculture department is including study of aquatic animal in the Caspian Sea basin. Also, because the per capita production of farmed fish (coldwater and warm water fish) in the Mazandaran province toward country, the activities associated with Aquaculture Department is as follows:

Objectives:

1- Identification and selection of marine fish species to reproduce and rearing in enclosed environments (farms, pens and cages)

2- Achievement New approaches to breeding and aquaculture (marine and farmed Fish)

3- Identify and determine the requirements for food and feed formulation of fish (marine and farmed fish)

4- New guidelines provide aquaculture

Abilities:

1- Native fish reproduction and Economic (bone and sturgeon) in the coastal areas (earth pond and concrete - different tanks)

2- Genetic manipulation, sperm freezing, Histology of organs and Aquatic cytogenetic

3- Physiology of Fish (nutrition, respiration, haematology, immune system, ion- osmoregulation system, reproduction and growth of fish)

4- Identification, determination of biotechnical, production and produce of live food (phytoplankton, zooplankton, worms, aquatic insects, etc.)

5- Behavior of aquatic animal in different life stages (feeding migration and reproduction, etc.)

6- Restoring natural reproduction of fish (sea and river)

7- Fish culture in enclosed marine environments (cages, pens)

The organization chart (Professional posts of aquaculture department):

Laboratories:

1- Laboratory reproduction and rearing:

Laboratory studies on the reproduction and rearing of marine fish, river fish and farmed fish in the southern Caspian Sea and biotechnical of reproduction and rearing of aquatic species is determined. This lab has portable devices that determine physical and chemical factors in the weather and water. Also, there are two fish house in lab that equipped with adjustable heating and cooling system, along with 20 aquariums of 80 liters and 12 tank 300 liters and water filtration system is a central aeration.

2- Laboratory of aquaculture genetics and reproduction:

This laboratory facilities are co-operates with department of biotechnology labs.

3- Aquatic Animal Physiology and Nutrition lab:

Studies in Physiology and Nutrition of aquatic animal in aquaculture department are among the most important research activities. The main activities of this laboratory are study changes of environmental conditions on the reproduction, nutrition, blood circulation, osmotic and ionic systems and applied to aquatic life. Facilities of this unit are shared with the Department of Biotechnology and Fisheries Diseases.

4. Living food lab

The main activities of this laboratory are in associated with subjects related to phytoplankton, zooplankton, worms and aquatic insects.

These activities are carried out in the salons area of ​​1,200 square meters. This salon is contains isolated room, breeding room, mass culture room and equipment necessary to carry out the activities operations research.

One of the most important live food laboratories under the Aquaculture Department is Phycolab and that activities are include: Microalgae collection of the natural environment, the identification, isolation (pure stock preparation) and mass cultured phytoplankton South Caspian Basin.

This lab are contains isolation room, adaptation room, primary culture, mass culture, and the aquariums are for a special effect of environmental factors on microalgae. The laboratory has an area of ​​200 square meters and now has several species of phytoplankton pure stock of fresh water and salty.

Ponds

Aquaculture salon:

In this department, there are 3 salon ( ​​3,000 square meters), where has equipped with electricity system and lighting with 80 (2 x 2 meter) fiberglass tank + 8 French fiberglass tank (4* 4 meter) + 3 circular concrete pond (2r= 6m) and +2 circular fiberglass tank (2r= 6m) and equipped with central aeration system and electric water pumps and emergency generators.

Outdoor circular concrete pond

There are 12 circular concrete ponds with diameter of 9 and 6 meters in the outdoor, equipped with central water supply and aeration system. This site is located adjacent to the Tajan River.

Backup facilities:

There are main water pumping system, pumps store, two fold water tank for pressure supply, 2 sedimentation concrete ponds (4000 meters square) and portable water electric pump and electric generator and 2 water central pumps and 10 portable aeration pump.

3. Ecology Department

Ecology department in order to reach the objectives of his procedures in biology, environmental sciences and pollutant which has 3 special groups with 10 laboratories (as follows) with various applied projects.

A) Environmental pollutants Group

Organic and inorganic pollutants in Caspian Sea Ecology Research Center (CSERC) have a Lab. qualification certificate (ISO/IEC17025) from Standard& Industry research – Iran Organization and also a certificate letter from Environmental Protection Organization of Mazandaran Province as a Trustworthy part. The ability CSERC four pollutants Lab. are as follow:

1- Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollutants Lab.

- The determination of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in river and sea water.

- The determination of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in river and sea sediment.

- The Determination of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in cultural and economical fish tissues (Caspian Sea& farm breeding fish).

- A Survey on bio-analytical of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in water and sediment.

- The evaluation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants at fisheries sensitive zone in the coastal ecosystem (10 – 100m depth) of southern Caspian Sea.

- The effect pollutants (oil& PAHs) on organisms and determination of LC50.

-The determination of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollutants standards for Iranian native aquatics

- The determination of ecological and healthy risk assessment of fish

2- Heavy Metals Pollutants Lab.

- The determination of heavy metals pollutants in river and sea water.

- The determination of heavy metals pollutants in river and sea sediment.

- The determination of heavy metals pollutants in cultural and economical fish tissues (Caspian Sea commercial fish& farm breeding fish).

- The evaluation of heavy metals pollutants in fisheries sensitive zone in coastal ecosystem (10 – 100m depth) of southern Caspian Sea.

- The effect of heavy metals pollutants on organisms and determination of LC50.

-The determination of heavy metals pollutants standards for Iranian native aquatics

- The determination of ecological and healthy risk assessment of fish

3- Pesticides Pollutants Lab.

- The determination of pesticides pollutants in river and sea water.

- The determination of pesticides pollutants in river and sea sediment.

- The determination of pesticides pollutants in fish tissues (Caspian Sea commercial fish& farm breeding fish).

- The evaluation of pesticides pollutants in fisheries sensitive part of coastal ecosystem (10 – 100m depth) of southern part Caspian Sea.

- The effect of pesticides pollutants on organisms and determination of LC50.

-The determination of pesticides pollutants standards on commercial fish in sea and estuaries.

4- Surfactants Pollutants Lab.

- The determination of surfactants in sea water.

- The determination of surfactants in river water.

- The evaluation and comparing on data with those standards that related to water body in environment and also compare these data with results comes from previous researches.

The overall goals of ecology department:

1. Systematic studies, marine biology and ecology of the Caspian Basin
2. Identification the native and invasive aquatic species and appropriate method to control and combat them
3. Comprehensive research on identification of suitable locations for natural reproduction and artificial propagation for release of fish fingerlings
4. Reproductive ecology of the South Caspian Basin
5. Aquatic species of rare, vulnerable, at risk and endangered
6. Study of environmental contaminants in the South Caspian Basin and its impact on aquatic
7. Assimilative capacity of the river basin of the Caspian Sea
8. Hydrological study location, migration and spawning

The goals of ecology departments to reach the biotic and non-biotic as well as environmental pollutants have 3 professional groups and 10 laboratories (as follows), which had been done various applied and basically projects.

Biological Research Group

This group has5 laboratories with characteristics as follows:

1. Phytoplankton laboratory:

· Sampling at various aquatic ecosystems for phytoplankton, phytoplankton species identification, phytoplankton abundance, distribution and biomass at various aquatic ecosystems such as seas, lakes, reservoirs, dams and pools with different ecological habitant such as fresh, brackish and marine characteristics.

· Primary production estimation and relationship with ecological parameters via chlorophyll A concentration determination.

· Phytoplankton fish diet

· Ecological classification of phytoplankton

· Research the relation between phytoplankton and physicochemical parameters

· Survey of sand (gravel) operation effect on phytoplankton species composition and structure

· Research on bioindicator index at various aquatic ecosystems

· Survey of pollution impact on phytoplankton structure and composition

· Determination of aquatic ecosystem trophic via phytoplankton and chlorophyll A concentration

· Study of various algal blooms prevention

·Zooplankton laboratory

o Zooplankton checklist at various aquatic ecosystems such as fresh, brackish and marine with their distribution

o Zooplankton identification, abundance and biomass determination

o The role of zooplankton in fish diet

o Ecological classification of zooplankton

o Zooplankton biology and physiology

o Zooplankton Ecology

o Research on bioindicator index at various aquatic ecosystems

o Survey of pollution impact on zooplankton structure and composition

3-Ctenophore (jelly) laboratory

· Determination of the pathway introduction of invasion species in the Caspian Sea

· Determination of ctenophore and cnidarians species in the Caspian Sea

· Gelatinous population structure of the Caspian Sea

· Standard methodology of the gelatinous species in the Caspian Sea

· Distribution, abundance and biomass of Mnemiopsis in the Caspian Sea

· Adaptation and possibility of Mnemiopsis raring in the Caspian Sea

· Raring ofBeroe ovata to Mnemiopsis combating in the Caspian Sea water

· Usable extraction of Mnemiopsis in the Caspian Sea

4. Benthos (macrofauna) laboratory

• Sampling of aquatic resources substrate such as rivers, pound, pools and Caspian Sea up to 800 m
• Fresh, brackish and marine benthos systematic classification
• Abundance estimation of various groups of macrobenthic
• Biomass estimation of various groups of macrobenthic
• Macrobenthic distribution estimation at study areas
• Natural nutrition of benthic fish diet
• Determine the total amount of organic material in the context of the study
• Determination of particle aggregation in the context of Macrobenthos sampling

5. Fish laboratory

• Identification and determination of the exact name of the southern Caspian Sea fish species
• Determination the exact distribution of different fish species in the basin based on extensive field studies
• Identification and invasion of non-native fish species in the basin, and develop their potential impact on fish fauna of the southern Caspian Sea
• Biological and ecological information recorded included age, growth, reproduction, nutrition and monthly monitoring the fish at the Caspian valuable ecosystem
• Ecological analysis of management strategies for the conservation and optimal utilization of fish species in the Caspian basin.
• Biodiversity of fish species threatening the biodiversity of the area and the fish fauna
• Conservation status of species and identification of fish species in highly endangered, and vulnerable in the southern Caspian Sea
• Biological and ecological studies in other freshwater fish fauna of Iran.
• Establish a museum for the Caspian Sea and other inland waters fish species for educational and research purposes

4. Biology and Stock Assessment Department

The biology and stock assessment department was established for understanding the biology and estimate of fish stocks and providing suitable fishing and fisheries management methods for sustainable yield in the Caspian Sea since 1992.

The main activities in this department include:

• Commercial Catch Species compositions
• Length, weight and age frequencies
• Diet and fecundity
• Biomass of the most important fish stocks

In addition to the more than 35 projects were conducted about biology and assessment of three main fish species groups (bony fish, Kilda species and sturgeon species). According to the results of the projects, the programs and guidelines for fisheries exploiting stocks of bony fish, sturgeon and Kilka prepare and revised and submitted the related commissions.

The department currently has 2 PhD, 3 master degrees, 5 expert and 2 expert assistances. So far, the department has submitted and published more than 20 articles in international scientific journals, more than 35 articles in domestic scientific journals and has presented more than 50 papers in national and international seminars.

Active Topics of Department include:

1- Provide guidelines and conservation sustainable yield of fish stocks through applied research programs.

2 – Estimate changes of fish population stocks and prepare TAC

Assessment and management of fish stocks in Caspian Sea

3 – Determination the most appropriate methods for catch and exploitation fish stocks

34- Stock enhancement and Rehabilitation methods for fish stocks

The abilities of biology and stock assessment department

1 - Conducting research projects in the fields of biology, fishing technology and stock assessment

2- Monitor and determine the amount of fish stocks

3 - Determine the Total Allowable Catch

4 - Determine fish spawning seasons

5 – Determine the fertility and capacity release of the ecosystem

6 - Optimization and standardization of fishing equipment to catch specific

7 - Design and construction of new fishing tools and equipment

8 - Fishing operations and sampling a variety of tools and fishing equipment

9 - Participation in fisheries committees and advising

10 Participation in field operations and cruise

11 - Tests to identify the species, the age, nutrition, growth and

12 - Preparation and presentation of experimental results and data analysis

13 - Prepare necessary reports for the Committees provided preliminary and final utilization of the Caspian Sea

14 - Beach sine cooperative observer training on standards

5. Fish disease Department

Diseases of Aquatic threatening fish stocks of the Caspian Sea, human health, fish is farmed in fresh and salt water. For example, some of the following can be mentioned:

1-An emerging disease in sea mullet fish that have emerged in the past several years and protection of marine resources and case fatality herd often than it is reported in the coastal

2-Ligolosis the word baleen and a major threat to their reserves

3 -bacterial fish diseases including: Streptococcosis, Staphylococcus’s, Vibriosis and, yersiniosis billion dollar each year in losses to the aquaculture industry

4- More than 19 species and 34 species of common pathogenic bacteria pathogenic to humans and fish are a common threat to human health through the consumption of unhealthy form of Fisheries and contact with sea water, is inevitable.

5- Viral Disease IHN, IPN and ... Every year, huge losses to trout production fields, propagate, and Aquaculture

Given the above potentials of cultured carp fisheries in the province, 32 tons, 10 tons of trout, bone fish, 10 tons, 10 tons of fish, and also the release of 100 million fry tofu White 3-2 million fry pieces, 500 pieces of carp fry released and hundreds of millions of farmed fish has more than two hundred million dollars in revenue and thousands of people have worked. Now the question is whether the industry can continue to operate without adequate research support.

Therefore, the continuity and sustainability of production and protection of investments in the manufacturing sector only refuge of Aquatic Animal Health Research activities are possible

Aims:

1-Study, identified, prevention, control and treatment of diseases of farmed fish and sea to produce persistence and stability

2- Clinical and External Assay of herbal medicines, chemical control, prevent and treat

3-Immunity herbal stimulants introduced into the aquaculture industry workshops and restructuring stocks

4-Production of vaccines (vaccines and recombinant vaccines) for the retrofit farmed fish

5- Resistant to viral and bacterial diseases of farmed fish to introduce fingerling and young fish

Capable stigmatized:

1-Check and identify the flora, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases in cultured marine fish
2 -Evaluation and identification of pathogenic bacteria and fungi in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
3 -Evaluation of non-specific and specific immune systems in farmed fish and seafood
4-produced kits for rapid diagnosis of viral and bacterial diseases.
5 - Production of immune stimulation of plant origin and chemical industry, aquaculture fish
6-vaccine (recombinant) for retrofitting farmed fish
7-Farmer testing of chemical agents introduced into the aquaculture industry
8 - Evaluation of nutritional diseases, non- infectious and metabolic diet to improve the health of aquatic
9-Production of juveniles resistant bacterial diseases
10 - Health Guidelines provide fish for human consumption

This department has six laboratories that some have certificate ISO 17025 standard

Histopathology laboratory:

Non-biological factors, including petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, chlorinated pesticides and phosphorus and environmental factors (physicochemical), especially sulfates, phosphates, nitrites, cyanides, sulfides, hydrocarbons (organic gases) and other hydrocarbons and live agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, algae - green and blue. Through urban and industrial sewage into rivers and the sea will be. Can damage tissues and organs of fish

Histopathology laboratory can help diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious diseases

The establishment of laboratory equipment such as: preparing digital automatic, rotary microtome, batch Flattening digital, digital electrothermal, oven (oven), optical microscopy, paraffin dispiner, cold plate, under elevated coloring, laboratory hood, fridge freezer, vacuum pumps and materials chemical and physical space with 45 square meters.

Bacteriology Lab:

Currently, bacterial diseases have a most economical loss to the aquaculture industry. This laboratory at the other side of the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratories (mycology, parasitology, histopathology, hematology, biochemical, and immunology) and the rest of the Research Laboratories (molecular genetics, device analysis, toxicology, etc.) can be useful to diagnosis of fish disease using rapid diagnostics.

The lab have devices, including digital laminar hoods, incubators, and refrigerators simple, distil water system; pH meters, optical microscopy, painting set and also have a specific chemicals. New laboratory spaces including room cultivated area with ​​25 square meters, sterilization Room with ​​10 square meters and sample room with12 square meters

Mycology laboratory:

One of the most important factors in reducing egg and fish are known as fungal production. According to the research activities in different species the mortality rate caused by fungal infections is between 90-40%.

The lab can diagnose fungal agents in order to prevention and management.

These laboratory have devices include refrigerator incubator, simple incubator, sensitive balance, laminar hood, sink washing, deck staining, pH meters, centrifuges, media and various chemical and physical space has an area with​​12 square meters.

Laboratory of Parasitology:

A parasitic disease is one of the major problems in farmed fish. Currently, also more than 19 species of parasitic diseases are common and can transmit to humans.

The lab have devices including: Microscope, stereomicroscope, coloring pad parasites, orange, rotary, Archives of fish parasites and several chemical and physical spaces has the area with 12 square meters.

Laboratory of Hematology and Biochemical

Blood tissue has a important role in vertebrate tissues in various organs is vital for tissue blood flow to different organs because the only way to communicate with each other in the context of transfers of various substances through the tissues will be done. One important way to confirm a diagnosis of Hematology and biochemistry tests along with other tests, such as bacteria, fungi and parasites is Astronomy. Laboratories hematology and biochemistry of devices including auto analyzer, haematocrit centrifuges, centrifuge refrigerator, refrigerators, centrifuges Simple platform stained, testing platform for Syanvmt hemoglobin, Spectrophotometer, Freeze - 80 c ◦, microscopes, Shaker and banmarri and have a space area with ​​25 square meters.

6.Biotechnology Department

Purpose:

The main purpose of this department is maintaining genetic diversity ofaquaticCaspian Sea and increase production of biological with use genetics and biotechnology knowledge.

GUIDELINE:

1- Identification of aquatics different populations of the Caspian Sea

2- Introduction molecular markers for sexual, species and populations of the bony fish

3- Establish of gene bank for genetic stocks preservation on The Caspian Sea bony fish

4- Engineering genetic of fish for production species with prevalent adjective

5- Production of kind's aquaculture biological products

6- Reviews of Biotechnology and production of microorganisms for waste biological treatment of warm water fish farming, caviar and cold water fish

7- Removal of hazardous contaminants from environmental with using of pollution filter organisms and using techniques of preservation and utilization of genetic resources in national

8- Environmental wastage reduction and genetic stocks preservation if aquatic

Ability:

1- DNA extraction and PCR

2- Primer design by different software

3- Enzymatic digestion of PCR product by endonuclease enzyme

4- Recognition of disease by PCR method

5- Production of DNA recombinant

6- Phylogeny and genetic diversity of aquatic by molecular method (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP,SSR)

7- Determine the amount of preservatives (boric acid and borax, potassium sorbate), phosphate, histamine and vitamins with spectrophotometer (fish, caviar, etc.)

8- Identify and pesticides, fatty acids and more devices Halvmtanha GC (water, fish, dairy products, and deposition) of PAH (petroleum hydrocarbons)

9- measure heavy metals (in water, sediment and fish)
Determine Of vitamins, amino acids, phospholipids Lpydha, aflatoxin and ... Using HPLC

10- Determine the percent moisture, fat, protein, ash, carbohydrates

11- Determine the peroxide index, TVN and pH

Indicators of achievement:

1- techniques using modified atmosphere packaging to improve the shelf life of fresh trout ( non- frozen )

2- Genetic variation of Clupeonidae (Clupeonella caltriventris, C. engrauliformis and C. grimmi) in southern part of Caspian Sea as revealed by RFLP Analysis

3- Check the possibility of extracting omega 3 fatty acids in fish, tofu

4- Investigation of common carp population in Southern part of the Caspian Sea by molecular method (PCR-RFLP)

5- Survey on achieving recombinant DNA vaccine against Streptococcosis for Rainbow trout Immunization

6- Genetic characterization of Barbus brachycephalus, Sander lucioperca and Rutilus rutilus caspius, in southern part of Caspian Sea by molecular method (Microsatellite) and create DNA bank

7- Survey of genetic marker production (Luciferase gene) in Rutilus frissi kutum or Cyprinus carpio

8- Check probiotics production to boost the immune system trout to Streptococcus disease Peptone production from waste of farmed fish and seafood products using commercial enzymes

9- The use of lactic metabolites (bacteriocins and organic acids) to increase the shelf life of salmon and their impact on the indicator bacteria