Investigation of the spawning sockeye salmon in the pool of the Nachikinskoe Lake (South-Western Kamchatka) with the help of a quadcopter in 2018

Abstract

The Nachikinskoe Lake and its tributaries were first examined in detail with the help of a quadrocopter during running and spawning of early and late sockeye salmon. Quantitative estimates of adult salmon filling in different areas of lake tributaries and its coasts were obtained. The number of spring sockeye salmon was estimated at ~30 thous. specs, and late — at ~145 thous. specs (summation of adults counted every ~2 weeks) and 140 thous. specs (127–153 thous. specs), by means of imitation model. According to the photos from the quadrocopter, the boundaries of the spawning grounds of the late sockeye salmon in 2018 are marked on the space picture. The area of spawning grounds is calculated — 307 thous. m2. The maximum density of distribution of adult salmon exceeded 0.64 specs/m2, the density of spawning was 4.5 specs/m2.