According to scientists, in the first half of the twentieth century, the biological resources of the Sea of Azov were so high that they had no equal among all other bodies of water in the World Ocean. Today, sea productivity is significantly reduced. The basis of the industrial potential is fish stocks, which are represented by 79 species and subspecies. But many of them no longer have commercial value due to a sharp reduction in numbers.
Feed fish species
The peculiarity of the representatives of this group of inhabitants of the reservoir is that they do not leave sea water until puberty. After this, individuals are sent to spawn in the river. The whole process of spawning takes from one to two months.
The biological resources of the Sea of Azov are distinguished by the presence of such valuable commercial fish species as stellate sturgeon, beluga, sturgeon, herring, sewn, and fisherman. All of them belong to the category of walk-throughs.
Beluga is considered the largest fish migrating to spawn in rivers. In the recent past, the species was not considered rare, but is now listed in the Red Book. In addition to the Sea of Azov, lives in the Caspian and Black. Azov beluga for breeding most often rises along the Don River. Kuban for spawning is used less sturgeon.
Semi-passage fish species
Pike perch, ram, bream, sabrefish - these are the names of fish belonging to the category of semi-passage, there are twelve in all in the group. They, like representatives of migratory species, are sent to spawn from the sea to rivers. But the difference lies in the fact that the whole process in semi-aisles takes a long time, sometimes up to a year. In addition, young animals can remain in the rivers for the entire winter period.
One of the representatives of this category of fish is zander. A fairly common species found in the basin of not only the Azov, but also the Baltic, Caspian, Black, and Aral seas. Zander is a large predator that feeds on invertebrate animals and small fish. The size of an adult can reach one meter in length, and the weight is usually 10-15 kilograms.
Sea views
The biological resources of the Sea of Azov are largely represented by this particular group of fish. There are 47 representatives in the category.
Marine species of fish include Pilengas, gobies, flounder-kalkan, fish-needles, glossa, perkarin, tyulka, three-needle cat. The peculiarity that distinguishes precisely these fish of the Sea of Azov is that they constantly live in salt waters. Reproduction takes place here, the appearance of juveniles, the achievement of their puberty.
Pilengas is one of the most common
inhabitants of the sea. It is interesting in that it was specially brought into the pool about 40-50 years ago. For a fairly short period, managed to successfully acclimatize, and today the fish belongs to commercial species. The dimensions of the Pilengas are impressive - up to 150 centimeters in length with a weight of up to 12 kilograms.
Migratory fish species
Describing the biological resources of the Sea of Azov, it is necessary to mention the rocks that make constant migration. Such species of sea fish as the Azov and Black Sea hamsa, herring, singyl, loban, horse mackerel, red mullet, pointed beetle, Black sea kalkan, mackerel, regularly change their habitats, crossing from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov or vice versa.
Of the four known varieties of barbul, only one of them lives in the pool. The fish is kept in flocks in the bottom waters. In the upper layers of the seabed, he finds small animals, which are feed for the bull. Fish is of commercial importance.
Freshwater species
Sterlet, bleak, crucian carp, ide, pike belong to freshwater fish, despite their habitat in sea waters. Belonging to the group is explained by the fact that they inhabit desalinated water areas of the sea. For this reason, fish do not make large migrations. In total there are 13 species in the category.
Use of natural resources
Today, the state of ecology of the Sea of Azov is alarming for specialists. The ill-considered use of natural resources, an intensive decrease in river flow led to a fourfold decrease in fish species. Their total number decreased by 10-15 times. These dramatic changes in the ecosystem have occurred in less than 80 years, they are associated exclusively with human activities.
Since the year 2000, fishing for
sturgeons has been prohibited due to a sharp reduction in the number of species. The list of reservoirs where the ban applies includes the Sea of Azov. Description of fish species requiring careful treatment, unfortunately, is not limited to sturgeons. Flounder, mullet also lost their commercial value.
The water area of the Azov Sea is used for economic purposes by two states - Russia and Ukraine. The well-being of the region, as well as improving the environmental situation in the entire basin, depends on the coordination of their actions.