During the field research work in various sections of the middle reaches of the river, hydrological observations and ichthyological studies were carried out, samples of the fish food supply - phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos, as well as water and soil samples for toxicological analysis were taken. For the first time in many years, comprehensive data on the species composition, distribution of aquatic biological resources and the state of their food supply in a section of the middle reaches of the Kuban River with a length of more than 300 km were obtained.
Based on the results of test catches using a fry drag, fixed and drift nets, it was established that the bleak reaches the highest abundance of fish. This species is undemanding to breeding conditions and can lay eggs on various hard substrates, interrupt spawning during a cold snap or a drop in the water level in the river and resume it after favorable conditions. In some areas of the river, there are numerous gudgeons, sand gobies, bream, roach and Kuban barbel.
The data obtained during the expedition will allow us to assess the current state of the ecosystem of the middle reaches of the Kuban River and develop recommendations for the conservation of its aquatic biological resources.
Press service of VNIRO
