VNIRO's trawl survey will allow for an assessment of the state of demersal fish stocks in the Sea of ​​Azov

 

During the 25-day scientific cruise, the aim is to obtain up-to-date data on the stock status of demersal (bottom and near-bottom) fish species in the Sea of ​​Azov, their spatial distribution during the autumn of 2025, the age and size structure of their populations, and assess the results of the seasonal feeding season before wintering.

 

The research covers the entire water area of ​​the Sea of ​​Azov, including Taganrog Bay and areas of the Northern Azov region. During the expedition, bottom trawl surveys are being conducted, hydrobiological sampling of phyto- and zooplankton, jellyfish macroplankton, and zoobenthos is being conducted, and hydrological and hydrochemical samples are being collected to assess the habitat conditions of aquatic organisms.

 

"Particular attention is being paid to the abundance and distribution of sturgeon species, mullet, turbot, and commercial mollusks, whose populations have shown a steady increase in recent years," notes Olga Guskova, expedition leader and chief specialist of the Anadromous and Semi-Adromous Fish Laboratory.

 

To date, research has been conducted in the eastern Sea of ​​Azov and along the Crimean Peninsula. Trawl catches include mullet, red mullet, silverside, turbot, herring, gobies, anchovy, and sprat. Sturgeon species (Russian sturgeon and stellate sturgeon) are also regularly found in test catches, demonstrating the recovery of their Azov populations. Researchers have collected genetic samples of these valuable fish species to study the population structure of the sturgeon stock and assess the performance of sturgeon hatcheries.

 

The data obtained during the cruise will allow an assessment of the current state of demersal fish stocks and the development of a rationale for the recommended catch volumes for these species in the Sea of ​​Azov for commercial fishing over the next two years.

 

VNIRO Press Service