Navaga Eleginus nawaga of the White Sea: a brief review with emphasis on the Soviet-Russian literature

Abstract

Navaga, Eleginus nawaga, are an important component of some Arctic shelf seas, primarily in the Russian Arctic, yet very few publications on Navaga are available in the western scientific literature. Based on literary sources, a description of the distribution and biology of Navaga, Eleginus nawaga, in the White Sea, as well as a history of their fishery, are provided. Long-term changes in biological parameters of several Navaga populations, as well as the current state of the Navaga stocks are summarized. In recent decades, the size and age structure of Navaga populations have undergone significant changes. In Onega and Dvina bays there was a significant rejuvenation of stocks; in contrast, an aging population was observed in Mezen Bay and the Voronka, which was due to climatic changes in all areas of the White Sea. Catches of Navaga have remained at a stable level for more than 100 years, which indicates a stable state of the stocks of this species. Future studies of Navaga in the White Sea should focus on such important aspects as migration, spatial and vertical distribution of juveniles and adults, population structure, biomass and population dynamics, fishing and natural mortality, as well as habitat conditions.