INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FOR FISH-PASSING FACILITIES: A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

Fisheries are an important economic component of the Republic of Kazakhstan, covering an area of 25.475 hectares throughout the country. However, fish are threatened by natural and artificial obstacles such as heavy rains, droughts, floods, and electricity consumption. Although fish enclosure structures can offer protection, designing new, more efficient fish-passing facilities is crucial. This study aimed to develop a model for a fish-passing facility, with experiments conducted at the Dulati Taraz Regional University in the laboratory of hydraulic structures and land reclamation. Researchers built a laboratory model of the facility and compiled an analytical model of the proposed technical solution. The study calculated the optimal values of the additional pressure and axial velocity of the total flow based on the required attracting flow. The practical significance of this research is in the ability to create a controlled high-speed flow regime in the fish-passing tract, which would provide favourable conditions for the passage of different types of passing and semi-passing fish through the hydroelectric facility dam, despite significant fluctuations in the headwater levels. The scientific nature of this research is evident in its contribution to the broader knowledge base in the field of fisheries and ecological engineering. The study expands our understanding of fish behaviour and provides new insights into the design of fish-passing facilities.