ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF NON-COMMERCIAL FISH SPECIES IN THE WATER BODIES OF BUKHARA REGION: AN OPEN-DATA-BASED ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aquatic ecosystems of Bukhara Region comprise rivers, canals, reservoirs, collectors and lakes, and their hydrological regime is strongly connected with the irrigation system. Available regional sources report 15 non-commercial fish species in the waters of Bukhara Region and adjacent water bodies, belonging to Cypriniformes, Perciformes and Cyprinodontiformes. According to official statistics, fish catch in Bukhara Region increased from 433 tonnes in 2010 to 6,376 tonnes in 2024, while the national figure reached 199,431 tonnes in 2024. Thus, Bukhara Region accounted for approximately 3.20% of the national catch in 2024. The analysis shows that low market value does not necessarily mean low ecological importance. Small fishes contribute to energy transfer within food webs, provide prey for larger fishes and support biodiversity. Gambusia is significant as a biological agent used for mosquito control. At the same time, some introduced species may compete with economically valuable fish. Therefore, regular and digital monitoring of these species is recommended.