Stock assessment for omul Coregonus migratorius in Lake Baikal and prospects until 2030

In 2024, for the first time, such a large-scale and detailed sonar survey of Baikal omul reserves was conducted within the entire water area of the lake, which made it possible to assess omul reserves at 4 polygons (fishing areas), coastal and deep-water areas. On an area of 2.8 million hectares, the total number of omul was 37 million, and the biomass was 8.6 thousand tons. The main biomass in 2024 are concentrated in the Selenginsky shallow water and account for 51% of the recorded stock for the entire Baikal area. The biomass of omul in the Barguzin Bay has increased significantly, and quantitative growth of omul in the Small Sea has also been observed. As in previous years, high concentrations were recorded in the waters of Northern Baikal. Compared with previous observations, there was a spatial redistribution of omul, and the highest concentrations were recorded not near Nizhneangarsk, but south of Severobaikalsk. An exceptionally high abundance generation born in 2020, comparable to the 90s, has been noted, which will have a positive impact on the restoration of omul biomass in the coming years. According to preliminary mathematical modeling data, provided that the number of recruitment of the fishable stock is at the level of 2021-2024 (generation 2019-2022 years of birth), a rapid increase in stocks of omul is predicted in the coming years, which creates possible opening dates of the fishery and recommended catch volumes. The 2025-2026 research will clarify the possible timing of the opening of the fishery and the recommended catch volumes.

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