Scientists examined Kulikovo‑Kurchanskaya, Kulikovo‑Ordynskaya, Akhtarsko‑The Grivenskaya, Gesterskaya, and Chelbasskaya groups of estuaries. During the expedition, hydrological and pharmacological studies were performed, hydrobiological samples were taken, paying special attention to the biology of cancer: its distribution, sexual and size structure of populations, as well as the prevalence of diseases.
The analysis of catches showed that individuals of the replenishment group (7.0–8.9 cm) and the first fishing group (9.0–12.0 cm) predominate. The proportion of females was 58%, which is important for assessing the reproductive potential of the population.
Currently, the main stocks of crayfish are concentrated in Akhtarsko.‑Grivenskaya and Kulikovo‑Horde groups of estuaries. At the same time, crayfish are practically not found in the Kulikovo‑Kurchansk group due to the long‑term salinization of reservoirs. The eastern part of the Chelbasa group of estuaries remains problematic: despite the stabilization of the hydrochemical regime, crayfish were not found there — previously, overgrowth regularly occurred in these reservoirs due to severe overgrowth (up to 95% of the area) and poor flow.
The collected materials will help scientists assess the current state of the habitat and stocks of the Kuban crayfish in the Azov estuaries, as well as predict how realistic it is to restore the number of the species in problem areas.
VNIRO Press Service
