UDC 597.55;639.2.053.2

Vasilyeva L.M., Rabazanov N.I., Sudakova N.V., Anokhina A.Z., Ramazanova D.M.,  Barkhalov R.M. COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF SEMI-ANADROMOUS AND AQUATIC FISH SPECIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE AGRAKHAN GULF // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 3 (96). P. 141-147. | PDF

Unfavorable hydrological regime in recent years contributed to negative changes in the species and age structure of ichthyofauna in the northern part of the Agrakhan Gulf. The article presents detailed data on species composition, age categories and morphometric indicators of semi-anadromous and freshwater fish species according to the results of surveys that were conducted in 2021. The comparative analysis of the results with the data of the previous years was executed, and the negative dynamics of changes of the studied parameters in modern conditions was established. There was a reduction in the species composition (from 14 to 9 species) of semi-anadromous fish, disappeared valuable in terms of commercial fishing (kutum, catfish, roach, tench and asp), significantly reduced the remaining preserved species. The average age increased, the proportion of older fish increased, and the number of younger fish decreased accordingly, indicating a decrease in the potential for growth. At the same time, freshwater, low-value fish species such as crucian carp, redfin, goose, etc. have growth trends in age and morphometric indicators.

Keywords: ichthyofaunal, semi-anadromous fish, water fish, Northern Agrakhan, species and age structure, morphometric indicators, juveniles, population, hydrological regime, valuable and low-value species.

Financing. The work was carried out for the state task, topic No. 122032200284-2 “The Structure of Populations of Commercial Fish Species and the State of Their Forage Base in the Coastal Zone of the Dagestan Coast of the Caspian Sea”, and as part of D.M. Ramazanova’s postgraduate work on the topic “The Current State of the Ichthyofauna in the Northern Part of the Agrakhan Bay” at the V.N. Tatishchev Astrakhan State University.

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-3-141-147

EDN: BURDIY