Methodical Manuals
The Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology has developed a methodical manual for studding the otoliths of fishes, which the Caspian seal feed on, and methodical manual for estimating the Caspian seal abundance. Both documents were issued within the framework of the project “Structure, distribution and abundance of the Caspian seal population in the Kazakhstani part of the Caspian Sea during the regression period and development of recommendations for the Structure, distribution and abundance of the Caspian seal population in the Kazakhstani sector of the Caspian Sea during the regression period and development of recommendations for the species habitats conservation” with financial support from the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. BR10264205). The methodical manuals were approved and recommended for printing by the Scientific Council of the Research and Production Center for Fisheries LLP.
Baimukanov M.T., Shagilbaev A.U., Iskakov A.A. Methodical manual for studding the otoliths of fishes – food objects of the Caspian seal, Pusa caspica (Gmelin, 1788)
Annotation
The Caspian seal, Pusa capsica (Gmelin, 1788) is the only mammal in the Caspian Sea fauna. It is a transboundary species, endemic to the sea. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has recognized the species as Endangered. The Caspian seal is on the List of Rare and Endangered Animal Species of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The status of this species involves the use of intravital methods to assess its diet. The manual describes sequentially the methods necessary for the formation of collections of fish otoliths, the collection of seal feces and formation of collections of fish otoliths contained in them, subsequent identification of fish species and estimation of the length of eaten fishes. There is an illustrated atlas of otoliths with their description in the document. The methodical manual is intended for researchers involved in studding the diet of seals, for teachers and students of higher educational institutions with the aim of teaching the use of scatological methods for assessing animal nutrition.
To download the methodical manual in Russian.
Baimukanov M.T., Ryskulov C.Ye. Methoical manual for estimating the number of the Caspian seal, Pusa capsica (Gmelin, 1788)
Annotation
Until now, there is no consensus among specialists about the current size of the Caspian seal population. According to various estimates, the number of seals has decreased from 3-4 to 10 times from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Differences in population estimates arise due to the inconsistency of survey methods and the insufficiency of data on the distribution and structure of the Caspian seal population. The methodical manual is intended for specialists conducting research on the assessment of the Caspian seal number. It can be used as a teaching aid, and will be useful for everyone interested in assessment of the Caspian seal status.
To download the methodical manual in Russian.