Comparative assessment of amateur fishing influence on water bioresources of Lake Tsatsa in Volgograd region

The paper presents the results of research conducted in 2020 on the impact of amateur fishing on the aquatic bioresources of Lake Tsatsa, which is part of the Sarpin Lakes located in the Volgograd region. On the basis of field studies (direct accounting), the number of amateur fishermen who visited the lake, as well as the qualitative and quantitative composition of their catches, was established. According to the data obtained, the total catch of fish by amateur fishermen, as well as the average catch per fisherman, was estimated. The size and weight composition of amateur fishing catches was determined based on the analysis of 2912 fish species. During the observation period 9 fish species were marked as part of amateur fishermen’s catches. The assessment of compliance of aquatic biological resources catch by amateur fishermen with the norms of the current Fishing Regulations was carried out. An assessment of the scale of amateur fishing impact on the aquatic bioresources of Lake Tsatsa is given, according to the analysis of the collected data. The catch of amateur fishermen in 2020 in Lake Tsatsa is amounted to 8.8232 tons, which can account for up to 15% (about 65-70 tons) of the total stock of commercial fish species in the lake. The forecast values of the production volume for industrial fisheries, for which the total allowable catch (TAC) is established and the species for which the recommended catch is determined, are 5.9 and 18.6 tons, respectively. Out of the forecast volumes amateur fishermen additionally catch fish species for which the total allowable catch (TAC) is established (carp, bream, pike) in the amount of 2.858 tons, and species for which the recommended catch value is determined as 5.643 tons.