These species are not just the basis of coastal fisheries, but also the most important link of the ecosystem: being planktonophages, they directly depend on the state of the food supply. That is why experts have studied zooplankton in detail — its abundance and composition determine whether juveniles will be able to gain weight and replenish commercial populations in the future. Hydrological parameters are equally important: scientists recorded the salinity, temperature, transparency and color of the water, as well as the direction and speed of the currents. All these data help to see in what conditions the juveniles develop and how favorable they are for their survival.
The expedition placed a special emphasis on the analysis of ichthyoplankton — samples of fish eggs and larvae. By their number and condition, it is possible to reliably assess the success of the spawning season and predict how the population will change in the coming years. This accuracy is especially relevant today: the Sea of Azov is gradually salting, and an increase in salinity seriously affects the survival rate of juveniles and the effectiveness of spawning.
According to Roman Nadolinsky, head of the scientific flight and chief specialist of the Fish laboratory of the Azov Sea of the Southern Branch of VNIRO, information on the scale and effectiveness of spawning is the key to understanding the future of the population.: it allows you to predict the dynamics of the number of species for a year or several years ahead.
After detailed laboratory processing of the collected materials, scientists will prepare scientifically sound recommendations on the volume of catch of hamsa, tulka and other aquatic biological resources. These data will form the basis for sustainable fishing — they will help to keep stocks at a stable level and at the same time ensure predictable catches, which is equally important for both science and the fishing industry.
VNIRO Press Service
