ИСТИНА

Background The Volga, the longest river in Europe and 16th longest in the world, is a water body of exceptional scientific and economic importance (i.e. the Volga Basin comprises about 40% of the Russian population, 45 % of the country’s industry and more than 50% of its agriculture). The Volga and its tributaries form the Volga River system which drains an area of about 1.4 million km2, covering various biomes from taiga to semi-desert. Scientific research on the Volga dates back about 250 years. Research developments were followed in the 20th century by major hydromorphological changes. These anthropogenic impacts and extensive use of the Volga for hydropower production and navigation purposes came at a cost for its historically important migratory fish (e.g. sturgeon) and related fisheries. Management approach / issues – preliminary overview The history of water management in Russia can be divided into three distinct periods: the pre-Soviet period (before 1917), the Soviet period (1917–1990) and the post-Soviet period (from 1991). With the new Water Code of 2006 a redistribution of ownership of waters between the federation and the regions took place. The code strengthened the position of the federal authorities significantly and determined federal competencies in water management. Presently direct science informed management actions focus on two areas: water quality and fisheries. Water quality monitoring programmes provide feedback to regional managers. The water quality monitoring network, operated by the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring is based on physico-chemical analyses. Water quality parameters in the Volga delta are not correlated with water from the headwaters, because it is largely determined by the volume flow of the two main tributaries - the Oka and the Kama. Fisheries stocks assessments are based on resource monitoring and are used by managers of freshwater fisheries to sustain fish abundances and diversity (Figure 3). Current recent evidence management is focused on water quality control and little attention is paid on importance of hydraulic connectivity albeit of its importance for fish populations. Apart from some effort in hatchery breeding little attention is being paid to rehabilitate historical migratory fish populations.