Scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences attended the first open international conference "Advanced methods to assess changes in geophysical phenomena, ecosystems and production processes during the study and exploitation of natural resources in the sub-Arctic sector of the Okhotsk Sea." The conference was held in early April in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

The conference prioritised modern problems of geophysics, oceanography and biology in the sub-Arctic sector of the Okhotsk Sea and adjacent waters. Conference participants also focused on environmental studies during prospecting operations, creation and exploitation of oil and gas deposits in the Okhotsk Sea. Scientists discussed the negative influence of acoustic noise from seismic prospecting on marine mammals on the Sakhalin Island shelf. This also has an effect on the Okhotsk Sea beluga whale population being tracked by a permanent expedition from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. Information on beluga whales makes it possible to assess the state of marine Arctic ecosystems.