Magadan Region begins construction of fish hatchery on the Kolyma River with annual capacity of over 12 million fry

Russia's Magadan Region is building a fish hatchery on the Kolyma River near the Ust-Srednekan hydroelectric power station, with a designed annual capacity of more than 12 million fry, covering species including whitefish, muksun, tugun and broad whitefish. The project is scheduled to start production in the second half of next year.

According to the Magadan regional government's press service, which informed Fishnews, the hatchery is a compensatory measure because the hydroelectric dam blocks the river and affects fish resources. Previously, energy companies compensated for the related losses by releasing fry.

Construction of the hydroelectric power station itself was completed at the end of 2024. The hatchery was originally planned to start construction in 2024, but was delayed due to a change of contractor, and the new partner did not enter the site to begin work until September 2026.

Before the project started, ichthyologists collected water samples from the Kolyma River, and test results showed the water quality is very suitable for whitefish breeding. In addition, due to the operation of the hydroelectric power station, the river freezes later, and not the entire channel freezes over.

Previously, all fish hatcheries in the region were located only along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, and fry had to be transported from there to the Kolyma River basin. For the fish, such long-distance transport causes severe stress and losses.

The new hatchery building is basically complete: exterior wall insulation work is nearing completion, interior work has begun, and lighting, ventilation and equipment installation will follow.

"After the New Year, we will begin installing the breeding equipment. After that, we will try to raise fry directly from eggs," chief engineer Alexander Ivashkin said, describing the plans.