Morphological features and state of peled stocks (Coregonus peled (Gmelin, 1788)) in the Pechora River Basin
This paper provides results of analysis of the biology and current state of fish stocks in the Pechora River Basin. In spite of the ever increasing anthropogenic loads on water ecosystems, the morphological structure of the Pechora peled is still rather complex. Distribution of various ecotypes of the peled is closely related to environmental conditions of the state of food resources in ponds. At the present moment abundance of the commercial peled population in the Pechora River is estimated as stably low. Such estimate is attributable to intense fishing. In average, a total catch accounted for in the basin is 40 tons, while the actual catch is at least three times higher. In order to prevent further reduction of the stock, we advise taking a set of fish protection measures, including artificial breeding of the Pechora peled. The findings can be used in annual forecasting of fish catches.