Alexander Vinogradov, marine ichthyologist and Doctor of biological sciences, is leading researcher at the Department of ecology of marginal communities of the Institute of marine biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Odessa). His main areas of research are ecological and morphological adaptations of fish at the early stages of ontogenesis, salinity resistance of marine hydrobionts, mechanisms of marine ecosystems functioning and sea ports’ ecology.Yuliya Bogatova, hydrochemist, PhD in geography, is leading researcher at the Department of quality of the aquatic environment of the Institute of marine biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Odessa). She studies the hydrochemical characteristics of the north-western part of the Black Sea and adjacent limans, rivers’ deltas and marine ports aquatories. The primary focus of much of her research includes the role of nutrients in water quality and the biological diversity of marine and coastal ecosystems.Ivan Synegub, marine hydrobiologist, is senior research scientist at the Department of ecology of marginal communities of the Institute of marine biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Odessa). His research interests cover the ecology and structure of macrozoobenthos in various biotopes of the Black and Azov seas, the anthropogenic influences on the structure and dynamics of macrozoobenthos communities, the role of macrozoobenthos in marine fish feeding and the impact of alien species on autochthonous macrozoobenthos.