Caspian Sea - The Times Of Central Asia

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Environment

Caspian Sea Shrinking Faster Than Expected, Risking Aral Sea-Like Disaster

The Caspian Sea is shoaling at an alarming rate, raising concerns among environmentalists in the countries that border it. According to the global movement Save The Caspian Sea, the sea level has dropped by two meters over the past 18 years. If this trend continues, the water level could fall by another 18 meters by 2100, triggering an ecological catastrophe much sooner than anticipated. Kazakh Coastlines Recede by 50 Kilometers The most dramatic retreat of the Caspian shoreline has been recorded along the Kazakh coast, where the sea has receded by 50 kilometers. Environmental activist Vadim Ni, founder of Save The Caspian Sea, reports that from 2005 to 2023, the sea’s surface area has shrunk by more than 30,000 square kilometers. This drastic change is devastating local ecosystems, particularly the Caspian seal population, which has declined from one million to just 70,000. Each year, thousands of dead seals are found along Kazakhstan’s coastline. Shipping and Oil Production at Risk Falling water levels are also disrupting shipping and trade in the Caspian Sea. Cargo ships can no longer enter the port of Aktau, a critical hub in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor that connects Kazakhstan with Azerbaijan. The Kazakh government has developed a dredging project to keep Aktau operational, with plans approved in December 2024. The project is expected to cost 42 billion tenge ($84 million). Additionally, the shoaling of the Caspian Sea is limiting the loading capacity of transport ships to just 75% of their maximum displacement. This also hinders access to the Kashagan oil field, one of Kazakhstan’s largest energy projects. [caption id="attachment_29154" align="aligncenter" width="671"] The Caspian Sea as seen from space; image: NASA[/caption] Ecologists Warn of Aral Sea-Like Collapse Russian ecologist Alexander Veselov has warned that the Caspian Sea could face the same fate as the Aral Sea, which virtually disappeared due to overuse and mismanagement. “The Caspian Sea may split into several parts, water quality will deteriorate, leading to mass deaths of swans, sturgeons, and seals. However, state authorities are failing to respond adequately to the crisis,” Veselov said. Impact on Climate and Regional Weather The Caspian Sea plays a crucial role in regulating the climate across Central Asia and beyond. Pyotr Zavyalov, deputy director of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, warns that a continued drop in sea level could alter precipitation patterns as far as the Pacific region. The current average sea level of the Caspian stands at minus 29.5 meters relative to the World Ocean, the lowest point in 400 years. However, precise long-term predictions remain difficult due to the complex interactions of evaporation, river runoff, and precipitation. Volga River and Algae Threaten Caspian’s Future The Volga River, which supplies 90% of the Caspian’s water, has seen its flow dramatically reduced due to the construction of numerous dams in recent years. Meanwhile, scientists have recorded the spread of the dinophyte algae Ceratium tripos var. balticum in the Middle Caspian Sea. This invasive species can trigger harmful algal blooms, reducing oxygen...

Nature

Caspian Sea Near Aktau Turns Blood Red, Alarming Residents

The coastline of the Caspian Sea near Aktau’s 1st micro-district and the village of Akshukur has turned an unusual red hue, sparking concern among local residents. Eyewitnesses quickly took to social media, sharing photos and videos while speculating about possible causes. However, experts say there is no cause for alarm. According to Kirill Osin, head of the NGO Eco Mangistau, the change in water color is a seasonal phenomenon linked to a mass bloom of diatom algae, which can be triggered by sudden temperature fluctuations. He added that this process does not pose a threat to the region’s ecology or marine life. Despite these reassurances, the Department of Ecology of the Mangistau Region has initiated water sampling to analyze chemical and oil product content. “The research will help confirm that the changes in water coloration are caused by natural processes,” the department stated, promising to release the test results soon. Algae blooms in the Caspian Sea are a recurring phenomenon. Similar cases were recorded: 2020 – Near the embankment of Primorsky settlement. 2017 – In the 9A microdistrict area. 2018 – From the Shagala Hotel to the Nur Plaza beach. Earlier this year, residents of Kazakhstan witnessed another unusual sight when “ice flowers” formed on the Kapshagai Reservoir in the Almaty region. These delicate formations, resembling snow-white petals with pointed edges, appear under specific weather conditions on a thin layer of ice.

Caspian Sea

Environmental Advocate Vadim Ni Warns of Impending Disaster for Caspian Sea and Calls for Global Action to Prevent Ecological Collapse

Vadim Ni is an environmental law attorney and climate expert. He has served on compliance committees for the Aarhus Convention and the Protocol of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Water and Health. Additionally, he was part of the Republic of Kazakhstan's delegation in climate change negotiations. He is also the founder of the Save the Caspian Sea movement, which seeks to raise public awareness of the environmental issues facing the Caspian Sea and promote sustainable solutions for its preservation. TCA: Could you tell us why the Caspian Sea is so important and why it requires our urgent attention? Vadim: The Caspian Sea is the world's largest enclosed body of water, spanning five countries, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Its significance extends far beyond geographical borders. It is home to unique species, including the endangered Caspian seal and several sturgeon species, which play a crucial role in the ecosystem and local economy. Unfortunately, the sea is on the brink of an environmental disaster due to climate change, pollution, and industrial exploitation. If action is not taken now, the world will face global consequences, from biodiversity loss to the destabilization of regional economies. Without immediate and decisive measures, this will lead to catastrophe not only in the region but globally. TCA: What inspired you to create Save the Caspian Sea? Vadim: I have been involved in environmental protection for a long time and have seen how fragmented efforts to save the Caspian have failed to yield significant results. The mass deaths of thousands of Caspian seals and the rapid shallowing of the coastline were alarming signals for me. It became clear that without a unified and coordinated initiative, we simply wouldn’t be able to save the sea in time. This led to the creation of Save the Caspian Sea, a movement that brings together the efforts of governments, businesses, environmentalists, and ordinary people. Its goal is to mobilize all possible resources to protect this vital body of water before it is too late. TCA: What are the main threats currently facing the Caspian Sea? Vadim: There are three major issues. The first is shrinking water levels. Due to climate change and the mismanagement of water resources, the sea level is rapidly declining. In Kazakhstan, some areas have already seen the shoreline retreat by dozens of kilometers. This is destroying ecosystems and causing severe damage to fisheries and tourism. The second problem is pollution. Industrial waste and heavy metals, mainly from oil extraction and processing, are being discharged into the water. This not only worsens water quality but also devastates marine flora and fauna, putting many species at risk of extinction. Additionally, large oil fields release toxic substances into the air, poisoning the environment. In the village of Berezovka, 25 toxic compounds have been detected in the air, causing residents to suffer from migraines, dizziness, hair loss, and deteriorating vision. The third threat is ecosystem destruction. The Caspian seal population has plummeted from one million in the early 20th century to just 70,000 today....

International transport

Prospects for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Maritime Trade Gateways

A container hub will be built in the Aktau seaport. The maritime harbor is expected to become a center for cargo consolidation and distribution, facilitating Kazakhstan’s deeper integration into the global trade and transport system. How will this impact port operations, regional development, and the global supply chain through the Caspian Sea? The project in Aktau will primarily allow for the formation of a container park on its territory, serving Kazakhstan, Caspian region countries, and Central Asia. It will provide a full range of services, including container transshipment and warehousing. The hub’s construction marks a new phase in the port’s development, establishing it as a major logistical center. The hub can become not only a component of Kazakhstan’s transportation system, but a key link in the regional and global transport chain. For this project, investment has been secured from Lianyungang Port Group Co. Ltd., which operates one of China’s largest ports, with a corresponding agreement having been signed with the company. Growth Projections and Capacity Expansion According to many industry experts, Kazakhstan needs to actively develop container cargo transport. Currently, the country’s containerization level is quite low, standing at only about 7%. As Abay Turikpenbayev, Chairman of the Board of the Aktau International Sea Commercial Port public company, explained to TCA, oil and containers are ideal cargo for the harbor due to their swift transport, quick unloading, and rapid railcar turnaround. “It’s a different matter when bulk cargo arrives at the port. Bulk materials take longer to unload and congest the port infrastructure, preventing the acceptance and accumulation of a large number of railcars. The use of containers allows for an increased cargo flow,” Turikpenbayev stated. According to Turikpenbayev, unloading bulk cargo takes 2-3 days, and an additional 2-3 days is required for loading. In contrast, container unloading and processing take less than 24 hours. According to World Bank estimates, by 2030, cargo volumes transported via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route through the Caspian Sea will reach 11 million tons. The new container hub is expected to help handle these volumes and attract additional cargo flows, increasing the port’s container transshipment capacity to 140,000 TEUs per year. Addressing the Caspian Sea Water Level Decline A critical issue that deserves attention is the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea. According to the Caspian Sea Hydrometeorological Research Department of RSE Kazhydromet, since 2006, the level of the Caspian Sea has dropped by approximately two meters. This decline has significantly affected navigation in the region. To address this, dredging work is planned in the Aktau port this year. Turikpenbayev stated that around 1.6 million cubic meters of heavy sediment will be removed from the harbor’s waters. “The dredged material will be used to create new territories and extend the port area southward. This will allow the port’s land area to expand from 60 to 100 hectares in the future,” Turikpenbayev explained. In addition to the construction of the container hub, further port expansion plans include building an additional berth for bulk cargo,...

Caspian Sea

NASA Discovers ‘Ghost’ Island in the Caspian Sea

NASA satellites have detected a fascinating phenomenon in the Caspian Sea: the temporary formation of an island following the eruption of the Kumani mud volcano. According to data from NASA's Earth Observatory, the island emerged in early 2023 but had almost completely disappeared by the end of 2024, earning it the nickname “ghost island.” The island was first observed using Landsat 8 and 9 satellite imagery in January 2023, shortly after the volcano erupted. It measured up to 400 meters wide and was accompanied by a visible sedimentary plume extending from its surface. However, by late 2024, the island had diminished significantly, leaving only faint traces of its existence. The Kumani mud volcano, located 25 kilometers off the eastern coast of Azerbaijan, is no stranger to such occurrences. Since its first recorded eruption in 1861, the volcano has periodically created temporary islands, which vanish after short periods. Mud volcanoes like Kumani are common in regions with active tectonic activity. They eject high-pressure mixtures of water, gas, and sediment, forming landmasses that are often unstable and short-lived. The Caspian region is notable for its high concentration of mud volcanoes, with more than 300 such formations in Azerbaijan and on the Caspian Sea shelf. Many of these volcanoes emit combustible gases, particularly methane, which has drawn the interest of scientists and geologists. The connection between these mud volcanoes and the hydrocarbon systems of the South Caspian Basin makes them critical subjects for research. The emergence and disappearance of this “ghost” island in the Caspian Sea highlight how much remains to be understood about mud volcanoes. These transient landforms demonstrate the dynamic forces of nature and underscore the need for further exploration of geological processes occurring on the seafloor.

Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan Takes Bold Steps to Revive Caspian Sea Fishing Industry

For the first time in over 30 years, commercial fishing has resumed in Kazakhstan’s section of the Caspian Sea. On December 20, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Amangaliy Berdalin attended the ceremonial departure of fishing boats targeting sprat from the port of Sarzha in the village of Kuryk, located in the Mangistau region. Commercial fishing in the Mangistau region was active before 1991 but declined after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its revival is part of Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to develop a sustainable fishing industry and bolster food security. One of the first steps in this revival was the purchase of two fishing vessels by Aktau Balyk Company LLP. The company aims to catch approximately 10,000 tons of Caspian sprat annually, providing this resource to the domestic market. Plans are already underway to expand operations. Next year, Aktau Balyk intends to acquire four additional vessels, increasing its fleet and boosting its annual catch volume to 30,000 tons. The government’s commitment to revitalizing the fishing industry is underscored by the Program for the Development of Fisheries until 2030. This initiative prioritizes fish farming as a cornerstone of the sector's growth. According to the program: Kazakhstan aims to produce 270,000 tons of fish annually through fish farming by 2030. The government seeks to increase domestic fish consumption to 134,000 tons annually. Fish imports are targeted to drop from 45,000 tons to 25,000 tons annually. This strategic push signals Kazakhstan’s determination to establish a thriving fishing industry to meet domestic demand and position the country as a competitive player in the regional seafood market.