Scientists at the Azov-Black Sea branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), based on monitoring the state of aquatic bioresource habitats, have developed a medium-term forecast for the development of the fishery resource base in the Sea of Azov until 2030. The most likely scenario in this forecast indicates an increase in the commercial value of invertebrates, including mollusks.
Research conducted by the branch demonstrates the validity of these forecasts. The most intensively exploited commercial bioresource in the Sea of Azov is the rapa whelk. As of September 15 of this year, this species occupies a leading position in catch volumes, ahead of such species as sprat, mullet, turbot, and gobies.
The rapa whelk's range in the Sea of Azov was initially limited to the Kerch Strait (between 2000 and 2009). In subsequent years, as salinity increased, according to research from the Azov-Black Sea Branch of VNIRO, it expanded to cover a significant portion of the sea. By 2020–2024, the mollusk's stock in the Sea of Azov reached 20,000–25,000 tons.
Until 2020, coastal fishing crews only harvested rapa whelk in the Kerch Strait. In recent years, vessel-based fishing has been added to the southern part of the sea. In 2024, thanks to scientific recommendations from scientists at the Azov-Black Sea Branch of VNIRO, fishermen organized rapa whelk harvesting for the first time in the Berdyansk and Belosaraysk Bays.
In 2025, rapa whelk harvesting was carried out both in the Kerch Strait and in the Northern Azov region. The fishery began in the Kerch Strait, but the key mollusk production area in terms of catch volume this year was the Northern Azov region.
Despite a series of stormy days during this year's fishing season, the rapana catch reached 1,998 tons as of September 15, the highest figure for the same period in the last three years.
VNIRO Press Service