Sturgeon (Acipenseridae) artificial reproduction paradigm changeover under conditions of natural stock deficit of sturgeon in the Volga-Caspian basin

As well known, natural populations of sturgeon (Acipenseridae), except sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), reached critical values by the beginning of the 21st century (P. Bronzi et al., 1999; E.V. Makarov et al., 2000; L. Speer et al., 2000; G.I. Ruban et al., 2015). For the endangered species of sturgeon, artificial reproduction continues to be the main source of replenishment of their populations (M.S. Chebanov et al., 2007). This method of sturgeon breeding is the most developed in the Lower Volga of the Caspian basin (V.V. Mil’shtein, 1982; A.A. Kokoza, 2004; L.M. Vasilieva, 2011) in Russia. To increase the effectiveness of sturgeon aquaculture, existing technologies are being updated and new ones are being developed (M. Chebanov et al., 2011; S. Wuertz et al., 2018). One such is the formation of broodstock (production) herds at sturgeon hatcheries (V.V. Tyapugin, 2015; L.M. Vasilieva, 2015; A.A. Popova et al., 2002). Abroad, broodstocks of sturgeon fishes have been created in industrial farms mainly aimed at commercial activities...