The state of use of fish resources in small reservoirs of the Rivne Oblast

Abstract

Poaching and unregulated amateur fishing have led to impoverishment and, in some places, complete extermination of populations of industrially valuable fish species in Rivne Oblast, so the activities of special commercial fisheries ensure the preservation of fish resources. The purpose of the study is to analyse the state of the water fund of the Rivne Oblast, the use of fish resources of these reservoirs, in particular, the results of the activities of special commercial fisheries, industrial and amateur fishing, and aquatic bioresources. According to the State Agency of land reclamation and fisheries in Rivne Oblast, over the past twenty years, there has been a tendency to reduce the volume of fish caught and introduced into natural and artificial reservoirs. Since 2010, due to low profitability, the activities of fishing organisations have been completely stopped, although previously commercial fishing of aquatic living resources took place on large water bodies, in particular in Rivers (Horyn, Ikva, Styr), lakes (Nobel, Putylivske), reservoirs (Mlynivske, Khrinnytske). Nowadays, the main method of fishing, in addition to the activities of special commercial fisheries, is unorganised amateur fishing. Specialised public organisations of amateur fishermen unite from 8 to 15 thousand amateur fishermen and sportsmen, carry out organised amateur fishing, are engaged in the introduction of fish resources into the water bodies of the region (carp, herbivorous fish, common pike, and silver crucian carp). Carp and crucian carp make up the largest share of fishermen’s catches; pike, common perch, silver carp, roach and rudd are less common. The state of fishery management in special commercial fisheries of the Rivne Oblast has not changed over the past 10 years. As of 2021, there were only 11 of them left in the region, working on lease terms; and several private enterprises where commercial fish is grown in full-system and non-system farms. The volume of young fish entering almost all farms has tripled compared to 2015, while the volume of fish caught has slightly increased. Analysis of the state of use of fish resources in small reservoirs is necessary for further rational extraction and restoration of fish resources in small reservoirs of the Rivne Oblast

Keywords

• water resources
• fisheries
• industrial catch
• catch volumes
• fish introduction
• amateur fishing