VNIRO continues work on artificial reproduction of whitefish

 

In November of this year, specialists from the branch captured whitefish spawners and incubated the eggs in accordance with the VNIRO Atlantic Branch's Commercial Aquaculture (Fish Farming) Program for 2025-2026.

 

Spawners were captured using set nets in natural whitefish spawning grounds – near the Kyiv Bank (Kashirskoye village) and near the branch's research and experimental base (Lesnoy village).

 

The captured specimens were transported to the experimental fish hatchery, where reproductive products were collected, inseminated, and the eggs were incubated in Weiss hatcheries. As a result of the study, 168,000 whitefish eggs were incubated.

 

Following the completion of the spawning campaign, staff from the Aquaculture and Freshwater Reservoirs Sector conducted the first comprehensive study of wild whitefish spawners that came to spawn in the Curonian Lagoon of the Baltic Sea.

 

The goal of the study was to assess the health of whitefish participating in the reproduction of the population. Data were collected on ten morphophysiological parameters (body weight, size and condition of internal organs, body length, etc.), and samples were collected for six hematological parameters (total serum protein, ESR, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and platelet count). Additionally, material was collected for a detailed white blood cell count to identify possible inflammatory processes and assess the overall immune status of the fish.

 

It should be noted that the study was conducted with the participation of Bouahud Ikram, a Moroccan student at the Kaliningrad State Technical University (KSTU). At the Atlantic branch, she gained unique practical experience, significantly expanded her professional knowledge and skills, acquired valuable competencies in aquatic bioresource research, and became familiar with modern methods of data analysis and processing.

 

The data obtained will form the basis for further research on whitefish producers and will be used to optimize aquatic bioresource management and improve the effectiveness of conservation measures for rare and valuable fish species.

 

 

VNIRO Press Service