2024.09.23

Employees of the Hydrobiology laboratory visited the Shahdili, Bandovan and KuragHzi areas of the Caspian Sea

Head of Hydrobiology Laboratory of MSERA Institute of Zoology, Associate Professor S.S. Suleymanov, a leading researcher A.G. Jalilov, a senior researcher N. Sh. Shamionova and a junior researcher I. Sh. Samadli were on an expedition to Shahdili, Bandovan and Kuraghzi areas of the South Caspian on  16-20.09.2024. During the research, ichthyological observations were also made in accordance with the action plan regarding the declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the research period, 57 fish belonging to  9 species (Saposhnikovi shad, Alosa caspia, Caspian marine shad, Alosa brashnikovi sarensis, Caspian roach, Kutum, Common carp, The leaping mullet, Caspian aterini) were recorded by means of 12 nets, while by means of drift net (The leaping mullet, Kutum, The Eastern bream, Common carp, Neogobius, Neogobius fluvatilis, Caspian aterini and Caspian needlefish) 65 fish were recorded. Although the species composition of the caught fish was higher, the number was lower. The reason for its decrease was probably that most of the fish preferred the deep part of the sea due to the relatively low temperature in the water due to the effect of windy weather conditions during that period. It was determined that the ecological condition of phytophilic fishes in the coastal zones due to the lowering of the sea level in recent years is not satisfactory. This can be considered as one of the factors causing a sharp decrease in the stock of semi-transient fish from the phytophilic group in the future.

8 samples of mesoplankton were collected. Collected materials are fixed and labeled. 10 samples of biological cover were collected. It was brought to the laboratory for processing.

The materials obtained during the research are currently being thoroughly processed in the laboratory.