Nikolai M. Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography

The Nikolai M. Knipovich Polar Research Institute is a research facility in Murmansk focused on marine fisheries and oceanography. Its work spans several seas and regions including the Barents Sea and Kara Sea, supporting fisheries management and scientific understanding of northern waters.

The institute was founded in 1921 as a floating marine research station and renamed in 1935 to honor scientist Nikolai Knipovich. It grew to become a key institution for oceanographic research in the northern region.

The institute preserves knowledge of traditional fishing methods and marine resource management as practiced in northern Russian coastal communities. Visitors can learn here how these practices connect people to the sea and have shaped local life for generations.

The facility is located in Murmansk and can be visited by travelers interested in marine research. It is best to check ahead about visiting conditions and access, as the institute's working schedule may affect when you can view the premises or learn about its operations.

During World War II, the institute relocated to Arkhangelsk after losing its main research vessel. The ship Perseus had previously completed many expeditions into Arctic waters, underscoring how long this research tradition has been part of the region's history.