Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Group

Aquatic resources cover all biotic element of the aquatic ecosystems, including genetic resources, with actual or potential use or value (sensu lato) for humanity. One of the main features of living aquatic resources is that they are renewable and their sustainable exploitation relies on an in-depth understanding of the aquatic ecosystems.

Our main objective is to provide scientific background for the sustainable use and management of aquatic living resources maximising the social and economic benefits from aquatic ecosystems. This activity comprises a variety of methods used to assess, analyse and forecast fish populations including traditional in situ monitoring, genetic methods and mathematical modelling (statistical and process based). Substantial part of the group’s activities is the applied research including the monitoring of the fishery resources in the Lithuania cost.

As aquatic resources constitute significant part of ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems (both provisional and cultural), assessment, mapping and modelling of ecosystem services is also within research activities of the group.

Research directions:

1. Fish ecology and functioning of aquatic ecosystems
2. Applied research in fishery and aquaculture
3. Assessment, modelling and management of fish stocks
4. Genetic research in fishery and aquaculture
5. National Fisheries Data Collection Programme and other monitoring activities
6. Management of recreational fishery and its impact on fish stocks
7. Assessment, mapping and modelling of aquatic ecosystem services

Team:

Dr. Artūras Razinkovas-Baziukas
Assessment, mapping and modelling of aquatic resources and ecosystem services
Dr. Aurelija Samuilovienė
Molecular methods, hybridization, fish population genetics
Dr. Nerijus Nika
Ecology and reproductive biology of migratory and riverine fish species, aquatic resources management, aquaculture technologies
Dr. Robertas Staponkus
Protected aquatic species, fish population genetics, fishing gear selectivity and impact assessment
Dr. Rasa Morkūnė
Ecosystem services, marine ornithology, stable isotope analysis, food web modelling
Antanas Kontautas
Ecology of migratory salmonid species, small scale fishery management, recreational fishing
Remigijus Sakas
Small scale fishery management, assessment of aquatic resources
Andrius Skersonas
Research and assessment of fish stocks and communities in inland waters, experimental research in recirculating aquaculture systems
Julius Morkūnas
Bird bycatch and its mitigation, waterbird ecology and genetics
PhD student Edgaras Ivanauskas
Fish stock assessment, fish ecology, ecosystem services, food web modelling, modelling of fish stocks
PhD student Vaidotas Andrašūnas
Research and modelling of the fish larvae and juveniles. Fishery stock recruitment, GIS and spatial modelling