Reproductive Migration of Fish and Their Transit Through Azerbaijan Waters

The article summarizes the concept of fish reproductive migration, its main types, and the biological and ecological characteristics of migratory fish. The main goal of the study is to analyze the reproductive migration of migratory fish, especially species belonging to the sturgeon and salmonid families, distributed in Azerbaijani waters, the factors affecting the decline of their natural resources, and the importance of artificial enrichment measures. The article shows that migratory fish ensure population sustainability by moving between marine and river environments at different stages of their life cycle. The construction of hydrotechnical facilities, water pollution, illegal hunting, and degradation of natural spawning grounds in the Kura and Araz basins have sharply weakened the reproductive capabilities of these fish. Artificial reproduction programs are of strategic importance for the protection and restoration of valuable species, especially sturgeon and Caspian salmon, as their stocks are declining. The article discusses the role of fish breeding facilities operating in Azerbaijan, the importance of the practice of artificial insemination and the release of fry into natural water bodies, as well as the genetic, technological, and ecological problems that arise during this process. As a result, it is justified that artificial breeding alone is not enough for the restoration of migratory fish, and that it must be implemented in conjunction with the protection of basin ecosystems, the restoration of migration routes, and scientific monitoring.