Those fish simply would not be able to live there otherwise, he says. They are probably coming to reproduce, which means the water is becoming warm enough for them to stay. Overall, the number of fish species in the bay has risen from 49 in 1994 to 57 in 1996. When they began the experiment in 1990, they found dead fish floating on the surface of the water. The rise in fish species in the bay is due both to the arrival of new species and the return of fish which had left the area due to pollution.
Scientists also say they have found a type of salmon which can only live in almost-pure water.
Sokolovsky says the drop in pollution began in the late 1980s, when industry began to falter and thus stopped producing as much waste. If the economy strengthens though, water conditions could easily change. At least now, he says, we ll have a bas is of information with which to compare future fish populations. Aside from numerous research projects, the institute is also completing the last touches on a museum for the public which opened at the end of December. Groups can arrange with the institute ahead of time to have a guided tour of the museum, which features different examples of Far Eastern Russian marine life.