Experience in cultivating gilthead bream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758) in the northwestern area of the Black Sea and prospects of its introduction into mariculture in Ukraine

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to analyze and summarize available data on the biological and ecological characteristics of gilthead bream (Sparus aurata), methods of reproduction and cultivation of this fish species, and the prospects for introducing the object into domestic aqua­culture. Methodology. Experimental works on growing gilthead bream in the estuaries of the northwestern Black Sea region was carried out in 1979–1981. Age-0+ gilthead bream were delivered from France to Odesa by employees of the Central Production and Acclimatization Station. Cultivation was carried out at the Experimental Mullet Plant (EMP) “Antarctica”. A combined cultivation method was used. In April–November in cages installed in the estuary. In winter, in flow-through tanks with thermal artesian water. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen content were monitored daily. Hydrochemical analysis of water and biological analysis of fish were performed monthly. The fish were fed with artificial feed RGM-5 M and RGM-5 B and pasty trout feed. Microsoft Excel was used for statistical data processing. Findings. Ecological, biological and fishery characteristics of S. aurata, data on distribution on the Azov-Black Sea shelf of Ukraine. It has been shown that in recent years, due to global climate change, S. aurata has spread to the northwestern part of the Black Sea basin. The main aspects of the technology of artificial reproduction and cultivation of gilthead bream in the Mediterranean basin are considered. For the first time, our own results of experimental cultivation of gilthead bream using the tank-cage method were presented within the framework of the research topic “Prospects for introducing new objects into aquaculture in Ukraine.” Growing gilthead sea bream in the conditions of the estuaries of the northwestern Black Sea region was carried out using a combined method. Wintering of fish from all age groups took place in flow-through tanks thermal artesian water, and cultivation from April to November in cages installed in the Shabolatsky estuary. The fish were fed with granulated artificial and pasty feeds. After 28 months of cultivation, age-2+ gilthead bream reached an average weight of 295±13.8 g. The yield of marketable fish was over 81% of the number of juveniles stocked for rearing. The results of the experiment showed the possibility of commercial cultivation of gilthead sea bream in the southern regions of the Black Sea region. Originality. For the first time, the results of experimental cultivation of S. aurata in the northwestern Black Sea region are presented. The possibility of commercial cultivation of this fish species using combined technology (tank-cage method) is shown. The prospects for introducing gilthead bream into Ukrainian mariculture are considered. Practical Value. The possibility of introducing S. aurata commercial cultivation in the estua­ries of southern Ukraine using a combined (garden-pool) method has been proven. The prospects for introducing this species into mariculture in southern Ukraine are considered.