Results of scientific research of the West Caspian department of the Volga-Caspian branch of VNIRO in 2024

 

In accordance with the plans for marine and freshwater resource research and state monitoring of aquatic bioresources for 2024, more than 70 trips by motor vehicles were made to water bodies of the responsibility area to conduct expeditionary work to assess the number, distribution, qualitative and quantitative structure of populations of anadromous, marine, semi-anadromous and river species of fish and crayfish in the Caspian Sea off the coast of the Republic of Dagestan and inland water bodies. Studies were also carried out to assess the environmental conditions of the habitat of aquatic bioresources.

 

The research included collecting ichthyological, hydrobiological, parasitological, ecological-toxicological materials, as well as data on the natural reproduction of fish. The collection of scientific material was carried out at more than 140 points.

 

Since the start of the trawling spearfishing in the Caspian Sea, the department's employees have been monitoring it, being on board observers on fishing vessels during the spearfishing with mid-depth trawls in the Caspian Sea.

 

Three comprehensive expeditionary trips were carried out to water bodies of the republics of the North Caucasus within the Terek River basin. These studies are important for monitoring the state of aquatic biological resources and their habitat, for collecting material to determine the receiving capacity of the studied water bodies for the purpose of artificial reproduction of aquatic biological resources.

 

Work was carried out to monitor artificial reproduction at fish hatcheries in the Republic of Dagestan and in other republics of the North Caucasus.

 

Taking into account the problems of IUU fishing of sturgeon species and other aquatic biological resources, the department's employees continued to work on developing conclusions and expert materials regarding illegally harvested aquatic biological resources and illegal fishing gear at the request of law enforcement agencies and the SKTU of the Federal Fisheries Agency.

 

The department's employees collected and processed sufficient scientific material to assess the state of stocks and habitats of aquatic biological resources and develop a scientific basis for forecasts of their catch for 2026 in water bodies of the responsibility zone.

 

Press service of VNIRO