MAKHACHKALA, July 17 – RIA "Dagestan". Over 10 million kutum fry have been released into Sulak Bay in the Caspian Sea, exceeding the state target of 9 million, the North Caucasian Territorial Directorate of the Federal Fisheries Agency reports.
Raised at Mekhteb Fish Hatchery under "Glavrybvod" each juvenile averaged two grams in weight. Favorable conditions—including moderate temperatures, ample rainfall, and abundant food—allowed production to surpass expectations, with unofficial estimates suggesting up to 12 million fish were stocked.
The release was strictly monitored by agency staff. As an endemic Caspian species threatened by poaching, habitat loss, and sea-level changes, every additional fry represents a vital step toward preserving this unique population.