The population of the middle volga sterlet Acipenser ruthenus – the history of research, the state and ways of conservation

The paper considers the current state of the sterlet population in the Saratov and Volgograd reservoirs. The analysis of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), literature data and calculations made it possible to determine the current state of the sterlet population and the necessary volumes of release of undergrown juveniles in order to restore the natural population. The result of artificial reproduction of sterlet in the Saratov reservoir was the gradual growth of the population and the formation of a commercial reserve. At present, the sterlet population in the Volgograd reservoir is small and characterized by extremely low ichthyomass, modern stocking volumes only allow the sterlet to be maintained as a species. The timing and optimal release locations are proposed in order to sustainably increase the survival rate of juveniles in reservoir conditions.