Characteristics of fucus algae cenopopulations near the Popov island of the White Sea

   The aim: Determination of the biological characteristics of fucus algae cenopopulations for the development of recommendations for their rational exploitation.

   Method: The original data obtained in 2020–2022 according to the recommended methods of fisheries research were used.

   Novelty: The size, age and sex structures of cenopopulations and reproduction of three species of fucus algae
of the intertidal zone of the White Sea are analyzed.

   Result: Studies in 2020–2022 in the intertidal zone of Popov Island confirmed the stable state of cenopopulations of commercial fucus algae. Fucus algae settlements in the littoral is a fishing area with dense thickets, an estimated specific stock of 630.3 t/km. Extended sporulation of F. vesiculosus in the area of Popov Island from June to the end of October allows the formation of several age generations of seedlings. Together with vegetative reproduction, this significantly increases the survival of the cenopopulation and its resistance to climatic influences. The age of fertility in the studied areas is less than according to the literature data. In terms of resistance to environmental impact and survival, the dominant species can be put in the following order based on the characteristics of reproduction, area and density of juvenile settlements, and abundance in the intertidal zone: Fucus vesiculosus → Ascophyllum nodosum → Fucus distichus.

   Practical significance: Based on the data on the reproduction of commercial fucus algae near the Karelian coast of the Onega Bay, it is recommended to start harvesting algae in the littoral no earlier than July 1 after the end of the generative period in the most vulnerable species.

1. Babkov A.I. 1998. Hydrology of the White Sea. St. Petersburg: Zoological Inst. RAS. 94 p. (In Russ.)

2. Blinova E.I. 2007. Seaweeds and seagrasses of the European part of Russia (flora, distribution, biology, resources, mariculture). MOSCOW: VNIRO Publish. 114 p. (In Russ.)

3. Vozzhinskaya V.B. 1986. Bottom macrophytes of the White Sea. M.: Nauka. 191 p. (In Russ.)

4. Evseeva N.V. 2015. Structure of cenopopulations of commercial fucus algae in the intertidal zone of the Western Murman // Trudy VNIRO. V. 154. P. 70–79. (In Russ.)

5. Study of ecosystems of fishery reservoirs, collection and processing of data on aquatic biological resources, equipment and technology for their extraction and processing. 2005. Iss. 3. Methods for landscape research and stock assessment of benthic invertebrates and algae in the marine coastal zone. Moscow: VNIRO Publish. 135 p. (In Russ.)

6. Kola Bay and Oil: Biota, Vulnerability Maps, Pollution. 2018. St. Petersburg: Renome. 520 p. (In Russ.)

7. Kuznetsov V.V. 1960. The White Sea and the biological features of its flora and fauna. M.: AS of the USSR. 256 p. (In Russ.)

8. Kuznetsov L.L., Schoschina E.V. 2003. Phytocenoses of the Barents Sea. Physiological and structural characteristics. Apatity: KSC RAS. 308 p. (In Russ.)

9. Sailing directions for the White Sea. 1993. St. Petersburg: GUNIO. 344 p. (In Russ.)

10. Makarov M.V., Ryzhik I.V., Voskoboinikov G.M. 2007. Restoration of thickets of fucus algae in the littoral of the Barents Sea // Trudy VNIRO. V. 147. P. 376–380. (In Russ.)

11. Maksimova M.P., Chugainova V.A. 2014. Hydrochemical and hydrological regime of the coastal zone of the White Sea. Mariculture. Moscow: IIU MGOU. 200 p. (In Russ.)

12. Maksimova O.V. 1979. The ratio of age, size and weight characteristics of some representatives of the Fucales of the White Sea and the Japan Sea // Proceedings. report III All- Union Conference on Marine Algology-Macrophytobenthos. Kyiv: Naukova Dumka. P. 90–92.

13. (In Russ.)

14. Maksimova O.V. 1980. Some seasonal features of development and determination of the age of the White Sea fucoids // Bottom flora and products of the marginal seas of the USSR. M.: Nauka. P. 73–78. (In Russ.)

15. Maksimova O.V. 2001. Formation of juvenile populations of Fucus vesiculosus in the estuary and estuary area (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea) // Problems of studying, rational use and protection of natural resources of the White Sea. Abstr. of the VIII regional scient.-pract. conf. April 16–18, 2001 Belomorsk, Republic of Karelia. Arkhangelsk: Pravda Severa. P. 94–96. (In Russ.)

16. Maksimova O.V., Sazhin A.F. 2010. The role of gametes of macrophytes Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis and Fucus vesiculosus L. (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in summer nanoplankton of coastal waters of the White Sea // Oceanology. V. 50, No. 2. P. 218–229. (In Russ.)

17. Malavenda S.V., Voskoboynikov G.M. 2008. Influence of abiotic factors on the population structure of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus in Eastern Murman (Barents Sea) // Biologya morya. V. 34. No. 1. S. 30–34. (In Russ.)

18. Petrov J.E. 1974. The overview key of the orders of the Laminariales and Fucales in the seas of the USSR. Novosti sistematiki nizshikh rastenii. V. 11. P. 153–169. (In Russ.)

19. Harvesting and perspective algae and invertebrates for uses of the Barents and White Sea. 1998. Apatity: KSC RAS. 628 p. (In Russian)

20. Romanov A.A. 1961. On the climate of Karelia. Petrozavodsk: Karelya. 140 p. (In Russ.)

21. Tikhovskaya Z.P. 1955. Life cycles of Fucus vesiculosus L. in eastern Murman // Trudy Murmansk biological station. V. 2. P. 94–107. (In Russ.)

22. Tolstikova N.E. 1977 a. Development cycles of Fucus vesiculosus L. and Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis in the littoral of the Barents Sea // Oceanology. V. 17. No. 1. P. 123–126. (In Russ.)

23. Tolstikova N.E. 1977 b. Some features of the development of fucus (Fucus vesiculosus L.) and ascophyllum (Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Jolis) on the coast of the Barents Sea // Trudy VNIRO. V. 124. P. 31–36. (In Russ.)

24. Tolstikova N.E. 1980. Observations on the development of Fucus vesiculosus L. and Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis during the year in the East Murman littoral // Bottom flora and production of the marginal seas of the USSR. Moscow: Nauka. P. 81–89. (In Russian)

25. Baardseth E. 1970. Synopsis of biological data on knobbed wrack, Ascophyllum nodosum (Limnaeus) Le Jolis. FAO Fish. Synop. V. 38. Rev.1. 41 p.

26. Wilding C., Tillin H., Stewart E.J., Lubelski A., Burrows M. and Smale D. 2021. Hand harvesting of seaweed: Evidence review to support sustainable management. NRW Evidence Report Series Report No: 573. 275 p. NRW, Bangor.