THE CURRENT STATE OF STELLATE STURGEON (<i>Acipenser stellatus </i>(PallAS, 1771)) POPULATION IN THE URAL RIVER
The aim of the study is to assess the dynamics of spawning and juvenile population of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771 in the Ural river in 2001-2015. The analysis of biology and number of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771, migrating to spawn in the river Ural, demonstrates long-term steady decline not only of migratory manufacturers, but their size and weight. The average length and the average weight of fish in 2001-2005 were 145.6 ± 0.59 cm and 10.23 ± 0.13 g, in 2011-2015 - 126.0 ± 0.69 cm and 6.52 ± 0.11 g. A decrease by 1 year of age for the first time spawning stellate sturgeon males is revealed. Currently mainly first maturing females and males spawn in the river. The number of re-spawning fish is small. Decrease in juvenile of natural spawning is not observed annually. In recent years, spawning migration is fixed only in early spring race of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus, and therefore, its spawning peak occurs in late April and ends in late May. To increase the number of sturgeon population requires a change in the tactics of their artificial reproduction - instead of wild manufacturers it is recommended to use females and males of brood stock, that requires the formation of such stocks at sturgeon hatcheries.