It's been 20 years since the establishment of the Caspian Branch of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Since its foundation, the Branch has come a long and fruitful way in developing fundamental and applied research of the Caspian Sea in the interests of government agencies and sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation.

Employees of the Branch have developed unique technologies for studying the marine environment of the Caspian Sea. As a result of the conducted studies, an original method for assessing the impact of environmental factors on the biota was created, based on the idea of artificial formation of local ecosystems. Developed and patented underwater remote-controlled camera, allowing observation and filming in adverse storm conditions. Scientific development of the Branch received high marks at international conferences and exhibitions. In 2014, the Caspian Branch of IO RAS was included in the National Register «Leading Scientific Organizations of Russia».

Currently, the Branch is actively developing, the staff is being replenished with new employees, including young scientists, interaction with the head institute and its departments, as well as with regional organizations is being strengthened. Research related to the ecological state of the Caspian Sea, the problem of rapid changes in the Caspian Sea level and their connection with climate change, and the dynamics of populations of "invasive" species is expanding.

The staff and the Directorate of the IO RAS heartily congratulate the Caspian Branch on its anniversary and wish it further success in developing its human resources and material and technical base, new scientific results and achievements!