CURRENT STATE OF FISHERIES AND ASSESSMENT OF FISH STOCKS IN THE WESTERN MIDDLE OF THE CASPIAN SEA. PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF THE FISH RESOURCES

Aim. To aim is to assess stocks and the fisheries of aquatic biological resources in the western part of the middle Caspian Sea and perspectives for the use of their resource potential.Methods. On the basis of the literature sources and our own data on the fish inventory in the western part of the Middle Caspian, we discuss possible reasons for emerging environmental, economic and other problems in the use of biological resources.Results. The main negative factors are the large-scale poaching, resulting in a catastrophic reduction in stocks of sturgeon and other valuable fish species of the Caspian Sea, a natural penetration of alien organisms (Mnemiopsis) and overfishing of some species. The potential danger is large-scale development of oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, which can lead to even worse situation for the biological resources of the sea.Conclusions. In order to preserve the biological resources of the sea it is necessary to create conditions for steadily developing fishing and fish processing enterprises, thus ensuring the satisfaction of the constant demand for fish products and an increase in the revenue base of the budget and the well-being of the Russian population

Linking Adult Reproduction and Larval Density of Invasive Carp in a Large River

Identifying how temporal variation in the environment affects reproductive success of invasive alien species will aid in predicting future establishment and tracking dynamics of established populations. Asian carp Hypophthalmichthys spp. have become a nuisance in recent years in the Mississippi River basin. Their populations are apparently expanding, indicating favorable conditions for reproduction. During 2004 and 2005, we quantified mean density of Asian carp larvae, mean monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI) of adult males and females, and number of eggs within mature females in the lower Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. A flood (water velocity ≥ 0.7 m/s) and drought (\u3c0.2 m/s) occurred during apparent spawning in 2004 and 2005, respectively. During 2004, Asian carp larvae were found during 32% of sampling weeks; mean GSI and fecundity were relatively low for adults, probably reflecting partially spawned individuals and perhaps low reproductive investment. During the drought of 2005, larval stages were present during only one (5%) of the sampling weeks, whereas mean GSI and fecundity of adults were high through summer. Females resorbed their eggs instead of spawning during this year. Spawning conditions during low water periods appear to be unsuitable for Asian carps, inhibiting adult spawning and yielding few larvae. Spawning conditions during 2004 were better but still yielded low densities of larvae relative to native fishes. Reproduction in the lower Illinois River appears to be linked to river flow and its impact on adult spawning decisions, but conditions for strong year-class production (i.e., high larval densities) may be rarer than previously expected

Movement and Habitat Selection by Invasive Asian Carps in a Large River

We evaluated the habitat use and movements of 50 adult bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and 50 silver carp H. molitrix by means of ultrasonic telemetry during spring–summer 2004 and 2005 to gain insight into the conditions that facilitate their establishment, persistence, and dispersal in the lower Illinois River (river kilometer 0–130). Movement and habitat use were monitored with stationary receivers and boat-mounted tracking. The relative availability of four macrohabitat categories (main channel, island side channel, channel border, and connected backwater) was quantified to determine selection; discriminant function analysis was used to evaluate changes in physical characteristics within each category. A flood pulse occurred in spring through early summer of 2004 but not 2005. Movement rates (km/week) of both species were positively correlated with flow but not with temperature. Including data from stationary receivers greatly increased estimates of daily movement. During low summer flow, both species typically selected channel borders and avoided the main channel and backwaters. Both species rarely occupied depths over 4 m, regardless of abiotic conditions. Flood pulses appear to trigger dispersal, while habitat use is only specific during low summer flow. Thus, movement prevention efforts (e.g., dispersal barriers) will require particular vigilance during late-winter or spring flooding, and controlled removal (e.g., harvest) should be directed toward selected habitats during summer

Growth, Fecundity, and Diets of Newly Established Silver Carp in the Middle Mississippi River

The silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix has spread throughout the Mississippi River drainage. During 2003, we determined its population status and potential impact in the middle Mississippi River (MMR), the conduit between the lower Mississippi River and the upper Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. We quantified growth, age structure, fecundity, and diets of silver carp sampled with trammel nets and AC electrofishing in main-channel areas. Mean length at age in the MMR exceeded that of populations in Asia by as much as 26%. Individuals were typically more than 1 year old and 230 mm total length, suggesting that small, young fish were absent. Individuals in this population matured earlier (age 2) than in the species\u27 native range. Regardless of phytoplankton variation (using chlorophyll a as a surrogate) and zooplankton concentration at MMR sites, phytoplankton was consistently most abundant in diets. Silver carp are finding suitable resources within the MMR, allowing individuals to grow rapidly during early life, persist as adults, and successfully disperse upstream

FORECAST ON THE CASPIAN SEA LEVEL AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE COASTAL TERRITORY

The aim is to assess the dynamics of the Caspian Sea and its impacts on coastal areas as well as to develop recommendations for economic activity in a highly unstable position of the coastline.Methods. Based on the analysis of scientific sources and our own data on the dynamics of the Caspian Sea, are discussed the possible causes of the unstable regime of the sea level and its impacts on the ecological system of the coastal areas.Results. One of the problems of the Caspian Sea is the problem of sea-level change and predicting such changes. The analysis shows that the level of the Caspian Sea will continue to experience long-term (including thirty-year and secular) fluctuations in the range of absolute marks minus 26 to minus 33 m, which is close to the shoreline as in 1977.Conclusions. We find it possible to prevent the negative effects of level fluctuations, preserve biodiversity and biological resources of the Caspian Sea on condition that during the economic activities in the zone off the coast we take into account possible changes in the natural conditions of the coastal zone at risk from -20 to -34 meters of true altitude, i.e. elevations within which the sea water level will fluctuate

Estimation of natural reproduction efficiency of semi-anadromous and river fish species in inland water bodies of the Republic of Dagestan, Russia

Aim. Estimation of the natural reproduction efficiency and patterns of formation of fish stocks.Material and Methods. Collection of material was carried out in 2010-2019 in inland water bodies in Dagestan and its shallow Caspian Sea coastal zone. Estimation of the number of juveniles in rivers and canals was carried out using ichthyoplankton cone seines. Fry seines were used to count juveniles of fish in water bodies and in the coastal area. 470 samples of juveniles were collected and 5640 juveniles were analysed. The collection and processing of materials were carried out according to generally accepted methods.Results. The main environmental factors determining the productivity of fish juveniles in the study area in the long-term have been identified. During the observation period, juvenile fish of 15 species were recorded in spawning grounds of inland water bodies. Roach, bream, carp, crucian carp, rudd and vimba bream dominate. In terms of numbers, roach juveniles predominate: their relative proportion being 31.02% with an increase from 27.1% in 2010 to 35.4% in 2018.The second place was occupied by bream juveniles, whose average relative proportion was 12.1%. The third place was occupied by carp juveniles with an average proportion of 9%. Juvenile zander, catfish, pike and kutum are relatively low in abundance from 2 to 4%. The yield of juvenile fish in 2010-2019 decreased 1.7 times compared to 1990-1995.Conclusion. It was established that a decrease in the number of juvenile fishes occurs under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors: decrease in sea level; reduction in spawning areas; the shallowing and silting of migration routes due to the lack of a stable water supply. Measures are proposed to improve the living conditions of aquatic biological resources, aimed at increasing the efficiency of their natural reproduction

THE PRESENT STATE OF COMMON KILKA (CLUPEONELLA CULTRIVENTRIS CASPIA) STOCK IN THE CASPIAN SEA

The paper analyzes the state of common kilka stock in the Caspian Sea. The effectiveness of common kilka reproduction annually remains at a level of average long-term one. The stock is stable and it is recommended to increase its harvest

CONTAMINATION OF THE SHALLOW COASTAL ZONE AND DESALINATED SHELF WEST OF THE CASPIAN SEA AND ITS IMPACT ON BIOTA AND REPRODUCTION OF FISH

The article discusses the soiling of the shelf waters by different pollutants (oil-pollution, heavy metals, pesticides)