25 September 2025

VNIRO conducted research into the upper reaches of the Mezen River

In the first half of August, the Northern Branch of the Russian State Research Center "All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography" (VNIRO) conducted aquatic bioresource surveys in the upper reaches of the Mezen River, as well as in the Verkhnyaya and Nizhnyaya Puzla rivers in the Komi Republic, to study the status of natural reproduction of Atlantic salmon, as well as other fish species.
 
More than 80 km of rivers were surveyed. A route survey of spawning and nursery grounds was conducted. Test catches of ichthyofauna were conducted, and the population density of juvenile Atlantic salmon in the spawning and nursery grounds was assessed. The work program also included sampling for hydrobiological studies. In addition, samples of juvenile Atlantic salmon were collected for genetic analysis.
 
Based on the results of the studies in the tributaries of the river, In the Mezen River, the population density of juvenile Atlantic salmon in the studied areas suitable for salmon spawning is satisfactory, with several generations of juveniles recorded. Atlantic salmon, grayling, and burbot were recorded in the Verkhnyaya and Nizhnyaya Puzla Rivers, while perch and pike were also recorded in the Mezen River. Recording structures were collected for all species to determine their age.
 
It should be noted that salmon fishing is restricted in the area. This contributes to the conservation of salmon stocks.
 
The collected material will be used to assess the abundance of aquatic bioresources, prepare forecasts, substantiate the fisheries resource base, and develop measures to regulate fisheries.
 
VNIRO Press Service