THE STRUCTURE OF ANGLERS’ CATCHES AND THEIR PART IN TOTAL FISH CATCH ON THE KAKHOVKA RESERVOIR

Purpose: To determine species and weight composition of anglers’ catches and their part in the total fish catch on the Kakhovka reservoir. Methodology. The work is based on the ichthyological material obtained from the catches of anglers and commercial gill nets with mesh size of 36-120 mm during 2011-2013 in the upper and middle parts of the Kakhovka reservoir. Data collection and processing were carried out according to conventional methods. In total, during the study period, 7775 fish from 455 day anglers’ catches as well as 18165 fish from commercial catches for 6435 net-days have been analyzed. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed in MS Excel. Findings. Twenty seven fish species (64% of reservoir fish fauna) belonging to 7 families were observed in anglers’ catches (excluding fish caught by spearing) on the Kakhovka reservoir. The estimated catch per one finished fishing trip in the study zone of the Kakhovka reservoir was 27.7 fish or 2.4 kg. Species diversity and amounts of anglers’ day catches varied depending on the fishing techniques used (from the boat or shore) and fishing season (ice fishing or open water). Averaged day catch on the Kakhovka reservoir was within the range set by valid Fishing regulations excluding fishing from the boat, where some insignificant excess was observed (3 kg), however, 20.4% among the analyzed catches exceeded the daily allowable catch. The total anglers’ catch on the Kakhovka reservoir was 747 tons (3.5 kg/ha) or 33% of the commercial one. Commercial and recreational fishing on the Kakhovka reservoir are based on the same the most abundant fish species: gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), roach (Rutilus rutilus), bream (Abramis brama), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). However, a significant part in anglers’ catches consists of species, which are exploited by commercial fishing in lower degree or are not exploited at all, including coarse and low value fish. This fact confirms the amelioration role of recreational fishing, which has been mentioned by researches for other water bodies. Originality. For the first time in modern time, an assessment of qualitative and quantitative parameters of anglers’ catches on the Kakhovka reservoir has been provided. Practical values. For the first time, fish yield of the Kakhovka reservoir has been determined taking into account anglers’ catch. The paper contains propositions on the accounting for anglers’ catches in the assessment of limits and allowable harvest amounts of aquatic living resources.