The route covered the section from Kropotkin to the upper reaches of the Krasnodar hydroelectric complex, passing through the Kavkazsky, Tbilisi, Ust‑Labinsky and Dinsky districts. During this period, scientists conducted hydrological observations, studied the ichthyofauna and took hydrobiological samples.
According to Viktor Petrashov, the head of the scientific voyage, the heavy precipitation in the river in late spring and early summer of 2026 greatly affected the situation: they caused a significant rise in the water level, and part of the floodplain remained flooded during the work. This turned out to be favorable for fish spawning and foraging of juveniles. The water temperature during the expedition ranged from +24.2 to +26.5 °C, and the current velocity in the upper part of the site reached 0.84 m/s.
To study the fish, the scientists used a fry travois, fixed and smooth nets. The catches included bleak, sand goby, bream, walleye, roach, Kuban barbel, chub and minnow. For each catch, the specialists recorded the species composition, weight and ratio of species, as well as the size and mass characteristics, sex and age of the fish; additionally, samples were taken for a complete biological analysis.
The collected data will help determine the fishing potential of Kuban and objectively assess the state of its ecosystem. Based on them, scientists will prepare scientifically based recommendations for the conservation of the river's biodiversity and the rational use of its resources.
VNIRO Press Service
