by
Maria Bninska
Inland Fisheries Institute
blok 5
10–957 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
At the begining of the biennium (i.e. in 1986) a new 5-year plan has started and, accordingly, new studies and research programmes have been initiated apart from those continued from the past.
I. FISHERY BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT.
1.1. Management schemes for inland fisheries.
In view of progressing eutrophication and water pollution a study project has been initiated with the aim to work out such management schemes and procedures that would allow the managers to rapidly adapt their management policy (means and measures used) to changing environmental conditions. Within this research project the following sub-projects have been initiated:
1.2. Production of stocking material for open waters (lakes, rivers, dam reservoirs).
It has been widely recognized that in view of deteriorating quality of open waters, further existence of fisheries in these waters depends to a large extent on artificial stocking of most valuable species which tend to disappear from the environment. In view of this, a programme has been initiated to develop a set of multi-purpose hatcheries to produce (all-year round) stocking material of most fish species. Two such hatcheries have already been constructed, about 10 more are to be made.
Additionally, this research programme embraces also a subproject dealing with the production of stocking material (mostly coregonids) in submerged, illuminated lake cages (no artificial feeding).
1.3. Effectiveness of stocking practices; stocking guidelines This project is aimed at:
The project has been almost completed. It was found that each lake should be analysed separately. A method has been worked out of this analysis and of establishing stocking policy for each lake. The results have been disseminated (two special training courses for those responsible for fishery management in lakes i.e. directors and ichthyologists in all lake fish farms and their branches) and are being put into practical use.
1.4. Management schemes for sport fisheries.
Since a new Fishery Law has been passed (in 1985) those possessing fishery rights are obliged to carry out rational fishery management. Since Polish Anglers' Association has fishery rights for almost all rivers and dam reservoirs, and for many lakes, a study has been initiated (at the request of PAA) aimed at working out management schemes for waters used by recreational fishery only. Since 1988, anglers' catches will be registered. An initial register has been already introduced in Slupsk Region (Middle Pomerania, 13 thousand anglers) and the results have been analysed. Initial management schemes have been worked out (stocking guidelines inclusive), which take into account also anglers' needs and preferences.
II. FISH CULTURE AND DISEASES.
This field embraces mostly carp and salmonid culture.
2.1. Salmonid culture.
A new salmonid breeding and research centre has been put into operation. Its aim is to carry out genetic studies on salmonid fishes with the objective to improve the quality of salmonids. Extensive genetic studies are being conducted on rainbow trout, brook trout, Atlantic salmon, sea trout. These species are used both for culture and for stocking into rivers and Baltic Sea.
2.2. Carp culture.
In view of a deficit of carp feeds, a study has been initiated on feed mixtures to be used in this culture.
Also, a study has been started on the use of heated effluents for the production of carp stocking material as well as on intensification of the production of this material in multi-purpose hatcheries (see par. 1.2).
2.3. Fish diseases.
A research project has been initiated and almost completed on the methods of increasing non-specific resistance (of carp and trout) to epizootic diseases as well as on developing the methods of early disease diagnoses.
A study on prophylactic measures and use of vaccines in fish culture is also in course.
III. FISH AND POLLUTED WATERS.
Quality of surface waters in Poland is deteriorating very rapidly. At present, fish production is frequently limited by the environmental factors. An extensive study has, thus, been initiated to find the methods counteracting these phenomena in both polluted waters and those subjected to accelerated eutrophication. Basically, two general sub-projects may be distinguished:
3.1. Development of prophylactic practices and of the methods to increase fish resistance (see part II of this report),
3.2. Management of the ecosystems subjected to eutrophication
In Polish conditions eutrophication of waters is progressing very rapidly. In the final stages its symptoms (as regards the fish stocks and fish production) are similar as those observed in polluted waters. Hence, we treat the eutrophication similarly as water pollution. This study is aimed at defining stages of the eutrophication as reflected in the fish stocks, and at working out such management measures that would in each stage ensure maitenance of the ecosystem balance, proper fishery production and possibly also improve the ecosystem quality.
IV. PRODUCTION STATISTICS.
Due to the fact that so far in Poland the so-called economic years has been used in inland fisheries, the production statistics available at present are for 1985 and 1986.
| Aquaculture (pond culture mostly): | ||
| 1985 | - | 28864.5 metric tons |
| 1986 | - | 32567.2 metric tons |
| Commercial fisheries in open waters (lakes mostly): | ||
| 1985 | - | 9401.4 metric tons |
| 1986 | - | 9325.7 metric tons |
| From these, totally for human consumption: | ||
| 1985 | - | 28900.2 metric tons |
| 1986 | - | 29437.3 metric tons |
The above data do not include sport fish catches. These are estimated at about 10 thousand metric tons for lakes and several thousand metric tons for rivers and dam reservoirs.
V. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES.
It is impossible to list all publications in the field of inland fisheries for the last biennium. This is due to the fact that scientists of the Inland Fisheries Institute only (not counting other institutions) had prepared in the past biennium (1986 and 1987) over 300 papers. Of these, 100 has been published as scientific papers, over 100 were various expertises prepared for governmental agencies, fish farm managers etc., and the rest were papers presented at various symposia and conferences (national and international).
