Modern Status and Prospects of Artificial Breeding of Rare, Extincting Fish Species for Conservation of Biodiversity and Restoration of Abundance in Natural Water Reserves of the Ile-Balkhash Basin

Abstract

This article presents materials on the current state of the native ichthyofauna of the Ile-Balkhash basin, affected by large-scale acclimatization works. Four species of the ichthyofauna composition are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan: spike ( Acipenser nudiventris Lovetsky, 1828), Aral barbel ( Barbus brachycephalus brachycephalus Kessler, 1872), Balkhash marinka ( Schizothorax argentatus argentatus Kessler, 1874), Balkhash perch ( Perca schrenkii Kessler, 1874). Due to the ineffectiveness of fish conservation measures, including the prohibition for catching of these fish species, which are not found anywhere except in the Ile-Balkhash basin, it is necessary to impose artificial reproduction, changes in the Fishery Rules and organization of commercial rearing. The work is based on research materials of 2001-2018 conducted in Lake Balkhash, the delta and the lower reaches of the Ile and the Tokraun. The status of spike populations ( Acipenser nudiventris Lovetsky, 1828), Aral barbel ( Barbus brachycephalus brachycephalus Kessler, 1872), Balkhash marinka ( Schizothorax argentatus argentatus Kessler, 1874) and Balkhash perch ( Perca schrenkii Kessler, 1874). The main reasons preventing the maintenance of a high number of endangered species have been established: small area of natural spawning grounds, death of fry in linmeshing fishing gear, large-scale poaching (spike); deterioration of conditions for the natural reproduction, mass mortality of young fishes in the irrigation system (Aral barbel); total elimination and food competition with pike perch (Balkhash marinka, Balkhash perch). The prospects for preservation of rare and endangered fish species have been considered, recommendations for breeding and replenishing populations of species listed in the Red Book have been given: measures for artificial reproduction and prevention of juvenile death, creating favorable conditions for fattening and reducing the pressure of trophic competition. Without taking adequate measures for reducing the anthropogenic impact on natural resources, including ichthyofauna, the number of main commercial fish species will decrease, rare species of fish will die out.