Towards ecological friendly pond aquaculture in the Ili River basin (Kazakhstan, Central Asia)

Abstract

Aquaculture in Kazakhstan is today in a stage of rapid development. There are a large number of ponds in the Ili River basin, but aquaculture in most of them is carried out using routine methods. The problem is aggravated by the fact that for many rare representatives of the native fish fauna, ponds are one of the last refuges. This article presents the results of a study of fish diversity in 18 pond farms during the period 2007- 2023. The results obtained showed the possibility of long-term coexistence of carp and such valuable commercial native fish species as the Balkhash marinka Schizothorax argentatus, the Ili marinka Schizothorax pseudaksaiensis and the Balkhash perch Perca schrenkii. Rearing predatory fish such as pike perch and snakehead in ponds is not only unprofitable, but also causes significant harm to the ecosystems of water bodies. On the contrary, the cultivation of pond farms in the basins of this region together with Balkhash marina carp, Ili marina and Balkhash perch not only allows for the preservation of these valuable native species and increases the mass of marketable fish, but also significantly relieves the nutrient loading on natural water bodies.