Modern ecological problems of restoration and conservation of the sturgeon population in the Ural River basin

Aim. The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of long-term changes in the number of sturgeon populations and its relationship with the fishing regime and the current state of the Ural River basin, as well as develop measures for the conservation and restoration of their resources. Discussion. Six sturgeon species inhabit the waters of the Ural River basin: Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758; Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833; Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897; Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771; Acipenser nudiventris Lovetsky, 1828 and Acipenser ruthenus, 1758. The degradation of the geosystems of the Ural River basin and the Caspian Sea due to changes in the hydrological regime, increased exploitation of oil and gas fields, as well as poaching has led to a decrease in the number of sturgeons. Moreover, the areas used for the development of petroleum hydrocarbons and the development of related infrastructure coincide with the main areas for feeding and migration of sturgeon and other commercial fish species. The Ural River is the only one in Europe with unregulated lower and middle reaches, thanks to which, until the 90s of the last century, favourable conditions were maintained for the natural reproduction of sturgeon and other fish species. In world practice, the development of commercial sturgeon breeding and reproduction of livestock in regional natural reservoirs provide a promising direction for the preservation of the unique sturgeon gene pool. At the same time, the principal role in the formation of the number and species composition of sturgeons, is given to natural reproduction. In the Ural River Basin, there are opportunities to restore the sturgeon population through a combination of natural reproduction and artificial farming. Conclusions. Despite a slight increase in the occurrence of sturgeons in recent decades, the state of their populations requires special conservation measures. It is necessary to develop joint measures for the protection and reproduction of fish stocks at the interstate level.