According to scientists, even in the first halfthe biological resources of the Sea of Azov were so high that they had no equal among all other water bodies of the World Ocean. Today, the productivity of the sea is significantly reduced. The basis of industrial potential is the fish stocks, which are represented by 79 species and subspecies. But many of them no longer have commercial importance due to a sharp reduction in the number.
Feature of representatives of this groupThe inhabitants of the pond is that they do not leave the sea waters until puberty. After this, the individuals are sent to spawn for rivers. The whole process of spawning takes one to two months.
Beluga is considered to be the largest fish migratingto spawn in rivers. In the recent past, the species was not considered rare, but is now listed in the Red Data Book. In addition to the Azov Sea, it lives in the Caspian and the Black Sea. Azov beluga for breeding often rises along the Don river. Kuban for spawning is used by sturgeon less.
Pike perch, ram, bream, Chekhon - these are the names of fish,belonging to the category of semi-passages, there are twelve of them in the group. They, as well as representatives of through species, go to the spawning from the sea to the rivers. But the difference is that the entire process in semi-passages takes a long time, sometimes up to a year. In addition, the young can stay in the rivers for the entire winter period.
One of the representatives of this category of fishis a pike perch. A fairly common species, found in the basin not only of the Azov, but also of the Baltic, Caspian, Black, Aral Sea. Sudak is a large predator, feeding on invertebrates and small fish. The size of the adult can reach one meter in length, and the mass is usually 10-15 kilograms.
Biological resources of the Azov Sea are largely represented by this group of fish. There are 47 representatives in the category.
Describing the biological resources of the Azov Sea,it is necessary to mention the breeds that make permanent migrations. Such species of sea fish as the Azov and Black Sea anchovy, herring, sinhil, loban, horse mackerel, mullet, wolf, Black Sea kalkan, mackerel, regularly change their habitats, crossing from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov or vice versa.
Стерлядь, уклея, серебряный карась, язь, щука belong to freshwater fish, despite their habitat in sea waters. Belonging to the group is explained by the fact that they inhabit the desalinated waters of the sea. For this reason, the fish do not make large migrations. In total, there are 13 species in the category.
Сегодня состояние экологии Азовского моря alarming experts. Reckless use of natural resources, intensive reduction of river flow led to a fourfold decrease in fish species. Their total number decreased by 10-15 times. These dramatic changes in the ecosystem occurred in less than 80 years, they are associated exclusively with human activities.
The waters of the Sea of Azov are used ineconomic purposes by two states - Russia and Ukraine. The well-being of the region depends on the coherence of their actions, as well as the improvement of the ecological situation in the entire basin.