STATE OF FISH COMMUINITY IN ILMEN LAKE UNDER INTENSIVE FISHERY PRESSURE

Abstract

Data on the current commercial catches of Ilmen Lake are presented. It is found that fishery significantly effect on the formation of the fish community core. At present blue bream is the main commercial species in Ilmen Lake. Rejuvenation of the commercial stock of pikeperch is found. In the catches, the share of young pike (2–3 years old) increases. Nevertheless, there is a steady tendency to increase the annual catch mainly due to minor commercial species (blue bream, roach, sabre fish, silver bream). In the current market conditions fishery, first of all, is aimed to extract the most valuable species in the fish community, such as pikeperch and pike. It results in these species number decrease. These problems are based on the lack of a clear management in fishery industry and effective control over the use of fish resources. Unsettled relations, absence of operational control mechanisms, and controversial nature of norms do not contribute to the conservation and reproduction of aquatic biological resources. It results in braking in the development of the fishing industry, forcing fishing organizations to violate a law that initially designed to protect the interests of fishermen.