SPECIES COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIAL FISH CATCHES IN WATER BODIES OF THE STAVROPOL TERRITORY FOR THE PERIOD OF THE LATE XX – EARLY XXI CENTURIES

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study is to analyze the species composition of commercial fish catches in water bodies of the Stavropol Territory for two periods from 1986 to the present.Methods. The first period from 1986 to 2003 is conventionally highlighted and the second period from 2009 to 2017. Data on linear and area characteristics of the territorial objects was obtained using Landsat 8 satellite imagery.Results. In 2017, in the fish industry of the Stavropol Territory, 10.8 thousand tons of marketable fish were produced, which was about 70% of the best production level in 1990. The share of common carp production was 58%, silver carp – 34%, white Amur – 5% , other carp fish species – 3%, trout and sturgeon – 1%. In 2017, 1415 tons of fish seeds were produced bringing the total to 19 million units, which is 4 times less than in 1990. The importance of fish catching in providing the population of the region with fish is not so great in comparison with fish farming. In different periods of the last thirty years, the total annual catch in regional state water bodies (reservoirs) ranged from a maximum of 1065 tons (1990) to a minimum of 82 tons (2016). The average annual catch in all state water bodies for the period 1986 – 2003 amounted to 357 tons; fish productivity was 32 kg, with fluctuations from 2 to 113 kg/ha in eleven water bodies. Over the past 9 years, since 2009, the average annual catch in all state water bodies has decreased and amounted to 285 tons.Conclusion. For the period of 1986-2003, the average annual catch of common carp and silver crucian carp was 94 tons each and 79 tons of silver carp; the total share of these three species in catches was 85%. Over the past 9 years (2009-2017), the total share of these fish in the catches has decreased to 66%. The average annual catch of common carp and silver carps was almost halved, while the catch of less valuable silver crucian carp increased and reached 103 tons.