Set up on December 21, 1953 as Odessa Biological Station within the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Academy of Sciences of UkrSSR. In 1963 it was reorganized into the Odessa Branch of the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas.
Its main lines of activities are:
- integral fundamental and applied studies in various areas of biology and ecology of aquatic ecosystems;
- developing new methods to select, process and analyze scientific information;
- providing ecological expertise and improving methods of conservation and integrated management of aquatic ecosystems.
- training research personnel and advancing the qualification of researchers through postgraduate and postdoctoral studies in hydrobiology and zoology. The Branch also uses other forms of training, relying on agreements on scientific and educational collaboration with institutes of higher education of Ukraine and foreign research institutions.
Major achievements and developments:
Those of the international level:
Yuvenaly P. Zaitsev, NAS academician since 1997, developed a novel method of determining the specific weight of pelagic fish roe (Zaitsev, 1954, 1961) and used it to detect mullet spawning areas. In the process he discovered an unknown community of organisms – “marine neuston” – in the near-surface layer of the Black Sea. The marine neuston is not only the largest biocoenosis of the planet in terms of area, it is an important element of the marine ecosystem, the chief “incubator”, where eggs and larvae of numerous species of marine organisms develop.
Under the supervision of Acad. Yu. P. Zaitsev and Dr. B. G. Aleksandrov, the first report on biological diversity in the Black Sea within its Ukrainian part (Black Sea Biological Diversity, Ukraine, N.Y. UN Publications, 1998) was compiled.
Yu. P. Zaitsev was awarded with NAS I. I. Schmalhauzen Prize in 1996 for the cycle of works “Recent Changes in the Black Sea Ecosystem”.
The President of Ukraine with a decree of 30 November, 2003 awarded Yu. P. Zaitsev with the title ‘Honoured Worker in Science and Technology of Ukraine’ for his outstanding contribution to science. For prominent scientific achievements, Dr. B. G. Alexandrov was awarded the title of ‘Honoured Worker in Science and Technology of Ukraine’ by a decree of the President of Ukraine of 14 May, 2008.
Odessa Biological Station was founded 21 December, 1953
The Branch's scientific research vessel - Michlukho Maclay, 200 tons water displacement. Since 1961 to 1991, Research expeditions were carried in the Caspian, Azov, Black and Mediterranean seas
Konstantin Oleksandrovich Vinogradov - Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, from 1953 to 1964 head of the Odessa Biological Station, Institute of Hydrobiology of AN UkrSSR; from 1964 to 1972 head of the Odessa Branch of the Institute of Biology of Southern Seas of AN UkrSSR.
Yuvenaly Petrovich Zaitsev - Academician of NASU, Merited Scientist of Ukraine, Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, from 1972 to 1989 head of OB IBSS AN UkrSSR; from 1989-till now chief specialist OB IBSS NASU.
Oleksandr Mikhailovich Bronfman - Professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, State Prizewinner; from 1989-1994 head of OB IBSS NASU