Monitoring results of the spawning part of the whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) population in the lower reaches of the Pechora River in 2024

The Pechora River is one of the largest rivers in the European part of Russia. It plays an important role in maintaining ichthyofauna biodiversity. Being highly sensitive to the quality of habitat conditions, whitefish species are subject to severe negative effects with an increase in anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems from the resource industry, as well as selective trapping during fishing. The purpose of this study is to assess the spawning part of the whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) population in the lower reaches of the Pechora River in the autumn of 2024 with an analysis of the influence of some abiotic factors on its reproduction. The biological parameters of 106 whitefish individuals have been analyzed, including the size and age structure, sexual composition, and stages of gonad maturity. In catches, the predominance of males (67%) over females (33%) has been established, as well as the dominance of individuals by age 5+ – 6+ years (78,2%). High water temperatures (up to 12,2 °C in September) are a factor affecting spawning time, as evidenced by the predominance of fish with stage III gonad maturity (53%). However, correlation analysis has not revealed a significant relationship between water temperature and catch rates (R² = 0,04). Catches per effort in 2024 amounted to 0,88 specimens/alloy, which is lower than the average for the last 3 years (2,07 specimens/alloy), however, the catch per effort, expressed in kg per alloy, remains stable (0,46 kg/alloy) and remains at the level of the average annual value of 0,45 kg/alloy. The data obtained confirms the need for further monitoring to assess the state of the whitefish population under anthropogenic influence. 

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