Autumn aerial monitoring of Pacific salmon spawning grounds in Chukotka

 

The survey area included the Lamutskaya River, the Berezovaya River, the Krasnoye Lake basin, the Velikaya River, and lakes Mainalyautgytgyn, Valyanaygytgyn, Gytgylveyirgytgyn, and Dlinnoye, the Belaya River and its tributaries (Yurumkuveem and Enmyvaam), the Anadyr River, the Yeropol River, the Main River, the Vaegi River, the Meynypilgyn lake-river system basin, the Keipilgyn Lake basin (including the Velkilveem River), and the Lake Kula basin. Pekulneyskoye (Pekulveem, Kannaut, Kavtayo, and Rannatanmelgyn Rivers), Lake Vaamychgyn Basin (Vaamychgyn River), Khatyrka River Basin, and Lake Mainits.

 

Summary results of the analysis of the collected data:

 

In the Velikaya River basin, a small underflow spawning area was discovered for the first time, where chum and sockeye salmon spawned together. In the Velikaya and Anadyr River basins (including tributaries of the Belaya, Main (Vaegi), and Yeropol Rivers), chum salmon spawning ground occupancy is extremely low.

 

In the Meynypilgyn lake-river system, the total population of sockeye salmon spawners was estimated at approximately 197,000 fish, with spawning ground occupancy estimated at 90-100% of the optimum.

 

In the Lake basin. In the Keipilgin River, sockeye salmon spawning grounds are estimated to be 60-70% of optimum.

 

In the Khatyrka River basin, chum salmon spawning grounds are estimated to be 60-70% of optimum.

 

As of early October, the Pacific salmon catch amounted to 327.5 tons. The majority of the catch came from the Meynypilgyn lake-river system.

 

The collected data will be used to forecast Pacific salmon runs in future years.

 

Reference:

 

In September 2025, specialists from the Pacific branch of VNIRO participated in the International Forum of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for All Environments "Wings of Sakhalin." During the event, they exchanged experiences with colleagues using unmanned aerial systems in fisheries research.

 

 

VNIRO Press Service