The impacts of Mnemiopsis leidyi on kilka resources in the southern Caspian Sea

There are 3 species of kilka in the Caspian Sea consist Of: Clupeonella engrauliformis, C. grimmi and C. cultriventris. These species are caught by fishing method of tunnel net with underwater light in the inshore waters (depths of 40-100m). The maximum recorded catch for three species in the Iranian waters had been 85000 tons per year during period of 1998-99. In the next years (2000-2001) despite of increasing the effort, the amount catch was dropped drastically. The result or collected commercial catch data showed that there are some changes in kilka catch compositions and also the frequency of common kilka has been increased since 1998. On the other hand, this species was a main part of commercial catch composition during all months. Meanwhile in the previous years, they were observed only during warm seasons (spring and summer). Based on fishermen and personal observations, the transparency of sea Water Was decreased rapidly during the years of 1999-2000 and at that time there were found a high abundance of Mnemiopsis leidyi in commercial catches. Simultaneously, with an increase in the mass of Mnemiopsis leidyi, the amount of catch and CPLUE or kilka have been sharply decreased

Population dynamics and biological characteristics of kilka species (Pisces: Clupeonidae) in the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea

The aim of the present study was to investigate the age structure, length-weight relationship, sex ratio, sexual maturity stages, growth parameters, natural and fishing mortality coefficients of three species of kilka including common, anchovy and bigeye kilka. The fork length–weight relationship of common, anchovy and bigeye kilka were calculated as W=0.000153 FL2.37, W=0.000349 FL2.18 and W=0.00160 FL2.97, respectively. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth curve for length were L∞ = 143.5 mm, K = 0.30 yr-1 and t0 = -1.02 yr for common kilka L∞ = 151.9 mm, K = 0.28 yr-1 and t0 = -1.12 yr for anchovy kilka L∞ = 148.6 mm, K = 0.46 yr-1 and t0 = -0.18 yr for bigeye kilka. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality of common, anchovy and bigeye kilka were estimated as 0.671, 0.633 and 0.881 yr-1, respectively. The current exploitation rates of three species were estimated as 0.55, 0.41 and 0.26, respectively. The results suggest that common kilka stock is under over-fishing now

The diet of big-scale sand smelt Atherina boyeri caspia (Risso, 1810) in the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea

Big-scale sand smelt is one of the fishes with high ecological value, which consume by fishes such as sturgeon in the Caspian Sea. In this study, 191 samples of Big-scale sand smelt from southeast coast of the Caspian Sea were collected seasonally from December 2013 to September 2014. In the present study, food items and the relative index of gastrointestinal (RLG), stomach emptiness index (VI) and feeding intensity (IF) were determined. The fork length, weight and age (mean ±SD) were 7.70 ± 1.09 cm, 3.64 ± 1.49 g and 2.00 ± 0.81 year, respectively. This fish with a relative gastrointestinal tract length of 0.46 ± 0.06 (mean ± Standard Deviation) can be considered as a carnivorous fish. The average of empty stomach was 45% showing big-scale sand smelt is a relatively voracious feeder. The average intensity of feeding (mean± Standard Deviation) 535±221.21, as a moderate level for this fish in the region. Gammarus (benthos) and Daphnia (zooplankton) were the favored food for this fish. This study also showed opportunistic hunting activities of this fish

Stock assessment of Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1754) in the south Caspian Sea

We evaluated the stocks of Huso huso in the south Caspian Sea along Iranian coasts using data on different population parameters such as length, age, weight, catch and catch per unit effort changes. The study covered data from 1971 to 2003. The stocks and catch rate of H. huso shows a decrease during the last three decades. The recorded catch for the years 1971-1972 was 74 tons with 5.55kg catch per unit effort which was decreased to 38 tons with 0.26 kg per unit effort in 2003 in gillnet fishery and the same trend was observed in beach seine fishing. The data shows that during 1990 to 2003, the average length of the fish has increased from 192.8 to 216.2 centimeters and the average weight has improved from 73 kg to 116.3 kg. Age frequency comparison between the catch of the years 1990 and 2003 showed that with time, older age classes replaced the younger ones, hence the increase in the length and weight of the fish. Due to the decrease in the younger fish and the increase in illegal fishing, it is anticipated that the fish stocks will suffer a decrease in future

Comparative study on lipid quality of distribution and abundance of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the eastern Iranian coasts of Caspian Sea

The alien ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi which was transported from the Black Sea into the Caspian Sea at the end of 1990s has been negatively affecting ecosystem in this new environment. In this study, spatial and temporal distribution of M.leidyi were studied from a total of stations located along three transects (Amirabad, Babolsar and Nowshar) in the Eeastern Iranian coasts of the Caspian Sea (Mazandaran province) during July 2001 to November 2002. M. leidyi acheived maximum biomass 1024.5 g/m^2 in August-October 2002. Minimum biomass (1.5 g/m^2 of ctenophore were measured in December-Jaunuary 2001. The highest biomass was at the stations with 10m bottom depth (570.7 g/m^2 in autumn and lowest biomass (75.9 g/m^2) was obtained at a station with a 50 m bottom depth in winter. The highest average biomass (641.2 g/m^2) were measured in ~irabad region and the lowest biomass (207.5 g/m^2) observed in Nowshar region. The young specimens (<5 mm) contributed about 90% to the total abundance of the population. The maximum length was 51-55mm which was measured in August. The factors affecting the distribution of M. leidyi in the study area were discussed

Assessing the biological characteristics of Clupeonella grimmi in Iranian commercial catch during 1997—2001 in the Caspian Sea

Kilka, a pelagic fish feeding on zooplanktons, are the most abundant fish genus in the Caspian Sea. There are three species of the fish living in the Sea including anchovy (Clupeonella engrauliformes), bigeye (C. grimmi) and common kilka (C. cultriventris). All three species live in the coastal waters of the Sea and comprise part of the commercial catch in the area. The relative frequency of the bigeye ranked second after anchovy over the years 1990-1991 with 6.84% increasing to 12.6% and 21.7% over the years 1997-1998 and decreasing in the subsequent years. We studied biological characteristics of the bigeye kilka over the years 1997-2001 in three fishing regions Amirabad, Babolsar and Anzali. In winter and earlier spring of each year, mature bigeye kilka ready to spawn were always present in the catch. The mean fork length of the fish increased from 95.87mm in 1997 to 105mm in 2000 and decreased to 102.3mm afterwards. Over the same time period, the fork length range became wider with specimens in the upper length classes representing most of the catch. We found that males were always dominant during our study comprising 60 to 90% of the catch. The caught fish consisted of six age classes 1+ to 6+. During the years 1998 to 1999, the age Classes 1+ to 3+ comprised more than 90% of the catch. In the year 2000, we observed a decrease in the age classes 1+ and 2+ and an increase in the age classes 4+, to 5+ compared to that of the previous years. In the year 2001, the age classes 3+ and 4+ decreased and the age classes 5+ and 6+ increased. In recent years, the relative frequency of the bigeye kilka has decreased as a result of the attack by the Mnemiopsis leidyi, but fork length range of the fish has increased and bigger and older fish are dominant in the catch

Stock assessment and maximum sustainable yield of common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris Borodin, 1904) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

The main objectives of the present study were to estimate of biomass during 1997-2014 and maximum sustainable yield of common kilka Clupeonella cultriventris Borodin, 1904 in 2013 in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. This paper examines the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and fishing intensity at MSY (fMSY) and then using fMSY, yield-per-recruit and spawning biomass-per-recruit under various harvest strategies of Fmax, F0.1 and F40%; the acceptable biological catch (ABC) was estimated. During 1997-2014, the biomass of common kilka was increased from 22000 in 1997 to 112000 t in 2009 then declined to 83300 in 2013. In the period, the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality varied between 0.246/yr to 1.640/yr and the exploration rates were 0.327 and 0.764. The reference points of common kilka at F0.1 and F40% were estimated 0.92 and 0.80 year−1 , respectively. According to Schafer model the MSY and fMSY were estimated 22670 t and 8690 vessel×nights (a unit of effort). During 2013, the ABC of common kilka was estimated 17500, 20060, 23500 and 18900 t in tiers 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. However, for the implementation of a precautionary management approach the lower and more accurate ABC-value, based on more information, should be selected and thus the catch should be restricted to 17500 t

Spatial and temporal distribution of Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamensky 1901) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

Caspian Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamensky 1901) is among the main commercial species in the Caspian Sea. The present study aimed to determine the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Kutum in depth ranges of 10 to 100 m by bottom trawl net in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea during 2008 to 2010. The results showed that the maximum catch and CPUE were 2903 kg and 57.08 kg/0.5 h in winter 2009. The minimum catch and CPUE were 79 kg and 1.41 kg/0.5 h in spring 2010. During the warm seasons (spring and summer) most Kutums occurred in depths less than 20 m. While, during cold seasons they occurred at all depths. The average (±SE) CPUE was 94.0 ± 78.53 kg/0.5 h in depths 20-50 m in autumn and 128.3 ± 77.64 kg/0.5 h in depths >50 m in winter

Investigation on spawning season, fecundity rate and length at maturity Lm_(50) of common kilka, Clupeonella cultriventris, in Mazandaran Province coastal waters

The spawning season, fecundity rate, male to female ratio and Lm _ (50) of the Caspian Sea common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris) were investigated during March 2005 to February 2006 in the coastal waters of Mazandaran province. The mean fork length and the weight of ovary females were 99.47 ±9.8mm and 8.3 ±2.0g respectively. The sex ratio was 2:1 in which females were dominant. The common kilka spawning started from January and its peak occurred in May. The mean gonadosomatic index was 2.1 ±6.0mm and its maximum was estimated at 0.28 and 8.9 respectively with its highest recorded in May. The condition factor was calculated at 1.5 ±0.12. More than 50 percent of the fish specimens matured when their length exceeded 94.17mm

Short communication: Study on heavy metals (Chromium, Cadmium, Cobalt and Lead) concentration in three pelagic species of kilka (Genus Clupeonella) in the southern Caspian Sea

Environmental pollution by heavy metals has been a matter of growing concern over the last decades. Heavy metals are toxic and tend to accumulate in living organisms. In many studies, fish has been used as a sampling item to monitor the quality of ecosystems because of two reasons: 1- Fish bio-concentrate and integrate contaminant load both in time and space leading to more representative results compared to water samples, and 2- Fish represent the bio-available fraction of environmental contaminants, unlike water and sediment samples. On the other hand, humans consume fish species which makes attention to these fauna even more important. Levels of some metals in the water running in Volga River, towards the Caspian Sea, and elevated concentrations of some trace elements have been reported in sediment. Also, various pollutants have accumulated in the Caspian Sea due to effluents from coastal catchments and leakage from offshore oil production and land-based sources. ... The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentrations of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb) in fish muscle in the most commercially important fish species of kilka (common kilka, C. cultriventris, anchovy C. engrauliformis and bigeye kilka C. grimmi) in the Caspian Sea