For analytical assessment of the so-iuy mullet Planiliza haematocheila in the Azov Sea, the archive materials of YugNIRO and AzNIIRKH have been used, as well as published expert estimates of IUU-fishing and fishing statistics of the Russian Federation and Ukraine for 1996-2019. Assessment was conducted based on XSA cohort model in the FLR software package. Description of the model diagnostics is given. According to the results of modelling, the so-iuy mullet spawning stock SSB at the early stages of its exploitation (19961997) was around 60,000 tons; in 2005-2009, it equaled 21,000-30,000 tons (32,000-43,000 tons upon including IUU-fishing to the input data); and in 2019, it made up 6,000 tons (9,000 tons taking IUU-fishing into account). As a target reference point for stock management, a fixed value of the exploitation rate E = F/Z = 0.4 was used. Actual values of E based on XSA give evidence of stock overfishing in 2004-2011; in other years, the target reference point exceeded insignificantly or did not exceed at all. The most significant impact on stock fluctuations was made by reproduction. Cross-correlation examination of the relations between fingerlings and 4-6-year-old individuals of the same generation in the catches shows that the Molochny Liman played the most crucial role in reproduction up to 2001. In later years, its importance for reproduction had been gradually decreasing until it ceased to exist. The increase in reproduction efficiency (Rec / SSB), which has been observed from 2011 to 2019 and was identified based on the results of recruitment (Rec) assessment using XSA, can be attributed to the increase in salinity of the sea.

The results of the ecological-histophysiological study of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) by use of light- and electron-microscopical morphometric methods and comparative analysis of the results are presented. At the beginning of migrations a state of “HHNS mobilization” has been established. It is expressed in the form of the strong synthesis activation of neurosecretary products in neurosecretory cells (NSC) and their transport in dendrites and axons to neurohypophysis (NH), where, their mass accumulation, however, occurs. This completion of moderate “normal” level of excretion of nonapeptide neurohormones (NP-NH) into the bloodstream disrupts the body’s water-salt homeostasis. The synchronized transventricular direction of the NP-NH excretion from dendrites and axons into the brain liquor of III ventricle provides their neurotropic effect in the behavioral centers of Central Nervous System (CNS). As a result, HHNS has a decisive double synchronous effect, which disrupts the long-adapted “pasture” type of osmoregulation (hyper- or hypoosmotic), which is probably the main physiological stimulus of habitat change and, at the same time, it includes the behavioral centers of the CNS, which causes a dominant state, originally defined as a “migration impulse.”The interactions of nonapeptide- and luliberinergic centers of the hypothalamus in the navigational mechanisms of homing and imprinting are discussed. At the beginning of spawning, regardless of its season a strong activation of HHNS, followed by a decrease in its functional activity, was discovered in fish of continuous spawning. The detected two-phase reaction of the HHNS seems to be a reflection of its participation in the body’s protective and adaptive responses to physiological stress. The key role of the HHNS in integrating migration and spawning processes is discussed.

In July-August 2018, coastal observations of marine mammals were conducted at the mouth of the Tyvlinka River (Yekaterina Bay, Sakhalin Gulf) in the Sea of Okhotsk, Khabarovsk region. In total, 40 killer whale encounters were recorded, against 68 killer whale encounters during the same period in 2015. On the coastal strip from the mouth of the Tyvlinka River to Cape Litke there are three rookeries of true seals (largha and lakhtak), with a total number of about 300 individuals. During the period of field observations, two cases of killer whale attacks on seals were recorded. Satellite beacons were installed on three killer whales and on two belugas. These beacons made possible to monitor subsequent migrations of tagged animals during summer-autumn period of 2018. Two killer whales, tagged in the Akademiya Bay and the Konstantin Bay in August, remained in the area of Shantar Archipelago during the salmon run, then in late August - early September they moved to the open waters of the Okhotsk Sea to the area where fishery vessels harvested the demersal fish species. Female killer whale tagged in the Sakhalin Gulf migrated to the northern part of the Okhotsk Sea to the Shelikhova Bay and the Penzhinskaya Bay, and almost repeated in calendar dates and positions the track of another female killer whale that was tagged in the summer 2015. The average speed of killer whales ranged from 4.3 km/h to 8.6 km/h. Belugas are more attached to their habitats in the Sakhalin Gulf. One of tagged belugas remained in the Gulf of Sakhalin, the other passed through the Nevelskoy Strait in October and went into the Sea of Japan. The average speed of beluga whales was two to three times lower than in killer whales and ranged from 1.7 km/h to 2.5 km/h.

The paper analyzes the long-term fishery and biological indicators of the Russian sprat fishery (Sprattus sprattus balticus) in the exclusive economic zone and territorial sea of Russia on the 26th ICES subdivision of the Baltic Sea in 2010-2019. Abiotic conditions in the winter season are considered. It is noted that an important factor for the Russian fishery (in terms of the volume of catch, the percentage of TAC utilization, the quality of the primary products, etc.) is the formation of favorable environmental conditions in the Gdansk basin during the wintering of sprats. In 2016-2019, there was an increase in the vessel performance in fisheries, with the development of the Russian quota set at a level close to 80 % already in the 1st and 2nd quarters of the year. In recent years, the shift of fishing to the deep-water part has determined a significant reduction in by-catch of juveniles, which has a positive effect on the conservation of recruitment of this species. Modernization of the fishing fleet, increase the value of the sprat stock, favorable environmental conditions have resulted in the successful catch of sprat in the last four years.

Based on the results of long-term research on reservoirs of the Moskvoretsky water system and the watershed of the Moscow canal, information is provided on the features of their hydrological, hydrochemical and hydrobiological regimes, as well as on the current composition of the ichthyofauna. The article presents the long-term dynamics of catches of fishing nets and small fry. Changes in the structure of net catches are shown depending on the mesh step of the applied nets and the depth of setting the net orders. It is established that during the period of operation of reservoirs of the Moskvoretsky water system and the watershed of the Moscow canal, the fish part of the community of this group of reservoirs is quite stable and is represented mainly by eurybiont species of the limnophilic ecological group. The similarity of the species composition of the ichthyofauna of reservoirs in the Moscow canal watershed is explained by the exchange of species and seasonal fish migrations between these reservoirs through the channel. A greater number of fish species in the reservoirs of the channel. Compared to the moskvoretskiye reservoirs, this is due to their connection through the migration corridor - channel with the Volga, a more favorable oxygen regime, and the hydrological isolation of the moskvoretskiye reservoirs. The results of long-term measures for acclimatization of fish in this group of reservoirs are described. The issue of the state of Amateur fishing in reservoirs near Moscow is considered.

During the 2019-2020 fish breeding cycle, the development of juvenile pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and chum salmon O. keta during their joint cultivation was investigated at the Mineralny and Skalny salmon fish farms. The water temperature at both enterprises during the growing of juvenile pink salmon in general for the whole year turned out to be higher, and when growing juvenile chum salmon, on the contrary, it was lower than, practically, at all other fish hatcheries of the Sakhalin region, specialized for the reproduction of these species. In accordance with the temperature regime by the time of release, the mass of pink salmon juveniles on average 634,6 mg at Mineralny and 425,4 mg at Skalny hatchery was higher, and the mass of juvenile chum salmon - 1007,2 and 820,6 mg, respectively, less than at other enterprises on that date in a normal production cycle. The juveniles of pink salmon were fed 3-4 weeks earlier than juveniles of chum salmon. When the latter was released into the ponds, its mass was 130-150 mg more than the mass of pink salmon located there. However, since the juveniles of pink salmon were already actively feeding by the time of joint rearing, juvenile chum salmon did not have a visible negative effect on its growth rate.

In world practice, at salmon hatcheries, eggs are disinfected with iodophor after fertilization, because the substance - the carrier of iodine is pyrrolidone, which has toxic properties for embryos and is capable of destroying biological membranes. In Russia, eggs are also disinfected after fertilization, but using iodinol. In this disinfectant, active iodine is in the form of an iodine- starch complex, which is safe for biological membranes, and can be used (concentration of active iodine 100 mg/l, pH within 7) instead of water during fertilization of eggs. On the example of long-term data of Malkinskii Hatchery (MH), it was shown that the mortality of egg and juveniles does not increase from the egg disinfection directly with iodinol during fertilization. The experimental studies of 2017 did not show any significant differences in the mortality of egg and juveniles at the MH after egg fertilization in water and in iodinol under other similar conditions of rearing. The disinfectant has no toxic effect on biological membranes and can be recommended for the disinfection of salmon egg directly in the process of fertilization for the prevention of fish viral and bacterial diseases. Iodinol is a promising drug for the fight against diseases with vertical transmission of the pathogen inside the egg. The proposed modification of the method of egg treatment can significantly reduce the consumption of the disinfectant and manipulations with eggs.

This paper summarizes several years of data from bacteriological research on the isolation and identification of Aeromonas salmonicida from Pacific salmon in Kamchatka. The pathogen was isolated from fish from every river and lake that was investigated in Kamchatka, the majority of which were spawning lakes. The distribution of the pathogen in fish populations was less 17%. Bacteria A. salmonicida were more often detected in mature salmon, including broodstocks at hatcheries. The pathogen was isolated from sockeye salmon, chum salmon, and coho salmon, recording a mostly asymptomatic carriage. The etiological agent of furunculosis was not recorded in chinook salmon. Most of the isolated bacteria showed weak or medium virulent properties, based on the presence of the DNase enzyme. The low temperature of Kamchatka salmon aquaculture probably is the main limiting factor for the outbreak of acute furunculosis in juveniles at hatcheries. A sluggish disease without clinical signs and with a relatively low mortality rate may develop if a highly virulent A. salmonicida enters to the hatchery.

The features of spring cyclonic activity in certain areas of the Asia-Pacific region (Japan, Okhotsk, Bering Seas, Kuril region, northern and northwestern regions of the Pacific Ocean) are considered. It was shown that during the observation period (1995-2018) long-term fluctuations in the number and intensity of surface cyclones in the selected areas most often occurred independently of each other, and both parameters changed, mainly in antiphase (with an increase in the number of cyclones, their intensity weakened, and vice versa). It is noted that at the turn of 2000/2010 in the all areas the number of cyclones simultaneously decreased, and their intensity increased (in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan and the Kuril region - to maximum values).Subsequently (during the 2010s), the consistency in the course of both parameters in all areas was preserved. The relationship between the intensity of cyclones and surface temperature is revealed, and in the Okhotsk and Bering Seas, the Kuril region and in the north of the Pacific Ocean, the connection sign is positive, in the Sea of Japan and NWTO it is negative. In the mid-2010s in the Okhotsk, Bering and Japanese Seas, a violation of the revealed patterns was noted, which could be caused by large-scale processes in the atmosphere.

Structure, quantitative indicators, distribution features and main communities of macrobenthos of Malokurilskaya Bay (Shikotan Island) are described. Four taxa defined the total biomass of macrozoobenthos: polychaetes, bivalves, decapods, and gastropods. The main regularities of the distribution of macrozoobenthos are given. Four bottom communities are marked: native communities of Chaetozone setosa + Macoma nipponica, Macoma nipponica + Liocyma fluctuosa, Pagurus ochotensis, and the community of the inner aquatic area of the port of Capitella capitata + Chaetozone setosa. Suspension / filter feeders, deposit feeders and detritus feeders dominate in the trophic structure of macrozoobenthos. The trophic community “suspension / filter feeders + detritus feeders” occupies the central and southern parts of the aquatic area on the fine-grained sands. The trophic community “deposit feeders + detritus feeders” is marked on the silts of the eastern part and on the fine-grained sands of the western part of the Bay. The trophic community “scavengers / detritus feeders / browsing + suspension / filter feeders” is localized at the exit of the Bay on medium-grained sands. Anthropogenic influence is the main factor affecting the distribution and abundance of macrozoobenthos.

The article deals with the issues of increasing the competitiveness of the fisheries complex of the Russian Federation as the most important direction in the implementation of the country’s food security. Improving competitiveness requires systemic changes in the production chains of the fishing industry through the introduction of a lean production system. Management according to its principles allows you to transform your business, focus on innovation, and saturate the food market with fish and seafood in accordance with consumer demand. In the organization of a fishing business under the lean production system, the starting point is to determine the value of fish and seafood for the consumer, and the main goal of all participants in the production chain is the desire to meet consumer demand with the created value. This goal setting forces the organization’s management along the chain to identify shortcomings and losses, improve technologies, and reduce unproductive costs.

In the current realities of the development of the world economy, it is important for Russia not only to maintain its position on the world market, but also to actively promote non-resource exports. According to experts, representatives of non-primary production have a large export potential. Special attention is paid to the export of agricultural products. Agribusiness products are the basis of goods exported from Russia abroad. Further development of exports should be aimed at reorienting from the export of raw agricultural products to the export of processed products, that is, with greater added value, while world prices for the finished product are significantly higher than for raw materials. The Russian agro-industrial complex has a significant potential not only for self-sufficiency of the country, but also is able to provide significant exports of products. For the further development and stabilization of the Russian agro-industrial complex, it is necessary to strengthen the role of the state and support this sector of the economy. According to economic theory and practice, agriculture is the most vulnerable to instability. That is why state regulation of this sector is necessary. It is extremely difficult for Russian producers of agricultural products with little state support to compete with goods whose value is 40% of public investment. With the necessary support from the state, the export of food products will increase its potential in the near future. Russian exports of agricultural products have every reason to increase competition on the world stage. In modern conditions, the expansion of production capacities and the export of agricultural products and food are a special opportunity for the Russian economy to show its export potential.

The article considers the essence, directions and results of the agricultural policy carried out during the period of sanctions pressure from the European Union and the United States. The implementation of the agrarian policy did not allow us to achieve some of the indicators of the State Program for the Development of Agriculture. It provides for the achievement of food security as a result of an increase in domestic food production and import substitution in the agricultural market, as well as the formation of an exportoriented agricultural economy. Import substitution in the market can be carried out in two ways: the first is to increase the production and increase the competitiveness of domestic goods and the displacement of imported products from the domestic market; the second is to restrict the import of foreign goods on the basis of tariff (duties) and non-tariff (quotas, import licensing, embargoes) regulation, as well as the subsidy of Russian producers. Import substitution requires significant financial investments, and it depends on the resource provision of the State Program. The index of the physical volume of investments in the main capital of agriculture in 2019 compared to 2017 was 102.0%, with the planned 105.1%. Therefore, it is necessary to step up the attraction of domestic and foreign investments for the development of agro-industrial sectors. In the conditions of saturation of the domestic market with certain types of food, high competition and a decrease in the effective demand of the population, the possibilities of increasing production are limited. The growth of agricultural exports will contribute to the increase in the production of agricultural products.

Four versions of two types of experimental technological platforms were developed and tested to create a new laser plankton meter. The possibility of registering tilapia larvae (6-8 mm) and sturgeon larvae (12-15 mm long) in fish breeding tanks on their basis was tested. The field tests were also conducted both in the tanks with water (200 l and more) in the open air with self formed biocenosis, and in the natural water bodies within Moscow and its region such as the Yauza, the Vondiga Rivers and Lake Torbeevo. The influence of sun parasitic illumination at a daytime is estimated and ways to minimize it are proposed. The analysis of tests of the developed “KEP” type technological platforms (models) and the results of experimental studies carried out on their basis shows the correct selected design solutions. The model of “KEP-2” type became the most favorable version. The selected design solutions will be used in the development of the working model of the device as a new research tool.

The results of analysis for the studies of experimental data drift of temperature sensors calibration characteristics, conductivity and pressure completed during the calibration of 7 models of CTD probes «Sea Bird» sensors from 2008 to 2017 are presented. It was shown that temporal drift of temperature sensors for the entire time of observation in 86.6 ^ 95% of cases did not exceed 0.002 °C. The temporal drift of the SEC sensors SBE16plusV2, SBE19plus, SBE19plusV2, SBE25 in 43.4 ^ 63.0% of cases did not exceed 0.ОО5 mS/cm. It is concluded that temporal drift of calibration characteristics of SEC sensor mainly determines the conditions of their operation and quality of preventive maintenance of the CTD-probe cells. It is shown that the temporal drift of pressure sensors of all 7 models in 54% of cases have a drift of calibration characteristics not exceeding 0.1% of the full scale (FS).

Results of biological studies conducted at RV “Professor Levanidov” in September 2019 in the Kara Sea at depths of 18-533 m presented. During the research period, phytoplankton blooms were not observed, almost no meroplankton, eggs, and crustacean nauplia were found in samples. The bulk of communities was formed by copepods, euphausiid and chaetognaths, jellyfish and snow crab larvae were widely met. Increased biomass was observed in deep-water areas in the north, and minimal biomass was found in desalinated shelf areas in the south of the sea. In trawl catches among invertebrates, snow crab dominated with maximum catches in the north off Cape Zhelaniya and in the southwest near Kara Strait. Echinoderms and coral polyps made a significant contribution to benthic biomass. Maximum catches of invertebrates were recorded in deep-sea areas: in the north near Cape Zhelaniya (south of the St. Anna Trench) and southwest (south of Novaya Zemlya Trough). In trawl catches, Liparidae, Zoarcidae, and Cottidae were most species diverse. Dominant species in terms of occurrence and abundance was Polar cod with maximum concentrations recorded in the southern part of the sea off Kara Strait. Its abundance in 2019 compared to previous studies increased according to bottom trawl surveys and remained almost the same according to acoustic data. The most catches included American plaice with biomass 190 thousand tons. In the southeastern part of the sea near Yamal Peninsula, Pacific herring with a biomass of 214 thousand tons has been recorded. Increased concentrations of navaga with catches up to 115 specimens per haul were found near the coasts of Yamal Peninsula and Baydaratskaya Bay. Feeding habits of common fish species were studied. Diet composition and high feeding intensity indicated favorable forage conditions. Ontogenetic changes of diet composition of individual species were revealed. An extremely high level of Polar cod cannibalism observed.

In October 2019 the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) received new research vessel of new generation, R/V «Svea». She was designed to perform monitoring of fish stocks and environmental situation of the Baltic Sea and surrounding waters. It is designed to perform monitoring of fish stocks and environmental situation of the Baltic sea and surrounding waters. Designing and building were conducted by Norwegian design bureau Skipsteknisk AS together with Spanish shipyard Armon de Vigo in 2017-2019 with taking into account ICES Recommendations N 209 regarding reduction of ship noise. As a result, according to DNV the vessel can be classified as low noise one. It allows to carry out fisheries researches using scientific echo sounder EK-80. Design features and scientific qualities of the vessel are described.

The work was based on our observations made at the Pacific walrus rookery on Cape Vankarem in 2020 (the Arctic coast of the Chukchi Sea) from August 10 to September 21. In 2020, the rookery began to fill up two weeks later (August 20) than usual, but the rate of filling the rookery, the number of animals in the rookery and the coastal mortality in the current year was much higher compared to the previous periods of observation (since the early 2000s, when animals began to come regularly to this cape in mass numbers). In the current year, the number of newborn pups in the period of mass migration of females with calves was 10,7%, which is rather high. The maximum number of animals in the rookery was on September 9-42,855 walruses (with animals in the water), which is about 20 thousand more than in the same period of mass migration in 2018, and 10 thousand more than in 2019. In 2020, the registered coastal mortality in the rookery was approximately 555 individuals. Since the rookery continued to function after our departure, and some areas occupied by animals had not been surveyed, the total mortality rate might be 700 walruses and higher. Yearling pups (85,7%) constituted a major part of the dead animals: of them the males accounted for 59,7% and females 40,3%. The proportion of adult animals (over 6 years old) among the dead was 6,5%, of which females were 88,8% and males 11,1%. The proportion of young animals from 1 to 3 years old was 6,4%.

In November 2019, in the Kunashir Strait (Okhotsk subzone of the South Kuril zone) studies were conducted to determine the norms of waste, loss, output of finished products and raw material consumption in the manufacture of the sea cucumber boiled and dried. The information on the technology of production of boiled and dried products from raw sea cucumber in marine conditions has been updated, determined the amount of waste and losses at different stages of the technological process, set the output of finished products and the conversion factor.