As part of the academic exchange between Russia and China, four scientists from Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented reports on the results and prospects of research of the mesophotic zone of the ocean.

V. O. Mokievsky's lecture was devoted to the use of meiobenthos as a tool for environmental monitoring. D. I. Glukhovets spoke about the possibilities of using data from satellite color scanners. The topic of A. A. Klyuvitkin's report concerned the study of vertical flows of sedimentary matter and associated parameters of the aquatic environment using automatic deep-sea sedimentation observatories; A. A. Udalov's dealt with studies of bottom communities using video observations.

The Chinese side was represented by Professor Wei Yanhui, director of the Institute of Control and Measurement Technology at the Institute of Science and Engineering of Intellectual Systems of Harbin Engineering University.

The meeting was held at the Nanhai Institute of Harbin Engineering University (Hainan, Sanya) from April 21 to 23. The participants of the visit learned about the measures to protect and preserve the coastal ecosystems of Hainan Island. They visited the mangrove ecological park in Sanya and the national reserve for the protection of coral reefs off the coast of the island.

The trip allowed us to strengthen scientific cooperation and discuss current issues of monitoring marine ecosystems using methods and tools of marine technology, biology, geology and remote sensing.