The southern branch of the Scientific Research Center of the Russian Federation "All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography" (VNIRO) regularly conducts research in this area, including monitoring the fishing activities of fishing crews.
The specialized pilengas fishery in the Sea of Azov and the Taganrog Bay ended on May 15. In order to assess the state of its population, the branch's specialists conducted extensive monitoring of fishing along almost the entire coast of the Sea of Azov, including Temryuksky, Slavyansky, Primorsko-Akhtarsky districts, as well as Crimea and the Northern Azov region.
According to official data, during the spring harvest, pilengas was mined by 24% more than last year. At the same time, the maximum catch, 67% of the total catch, falls on the Taganrog Bay. Compared to last year, fishing in the bay has doubled.
By sea, the leaders in fishing are Slavyansky, Primorsko-Akhtarsky districts and the Northern Azov region.
The collected data on the size and mass characteristics of the pilengas during the monitoring of the fishery show that the by-catch of non-commercial individuals was less than 5%. The main part of the catches consisted of individuals with sizes from 48 to 52 cm, that is, we see that the fishing gear used corresponds to the strategy of optimal exploitation of the population, since the by-catch of juveniles is minimal.
An analysis of the age structure shows that fishing in the basin as a whole is based on average age groups (4-5 yearlings). Considering that this age structure develops against the background of an increase in the stock, we can talk about the optimal level of fishing.
In recent years, the development of the recommended catch of pilengas has not exceeded 50%, that is, the recommended catch is sufficient to realize the fishing load and develop the fishery.
VNIRO Press Service
