Omul
Encyclopedia
The omul, Coregonus migratorius, also known as Baikal omul , is a whitefish
species of the salmon
family endemic to Lake Baikal
in Siberia
, Russia
. It is considered a delicacy and is the object of one of the largest commercial fisheries on Lake Baikal. In 2004, it was listed in Russia as an endangered species.
Coregonus autumnalis. However, recent genetic studies have shown that it actually belongs to the circumpolar Coregonus lavaretus-clupeaformis
complex of lake whitefishes, which also has other members in Lake Baikal, and it is now considered its own species within Coregonus
. There are four or five traditionally accepted subpopulations within Lake Baikal: North Baikal (северобайкальский), Selenga (селенгинский), Chivyrkui (чивыркуйский) and Posolsk (посольский). These vary in size, feeding behavior and preferred spawning
habitats. The extent of their reproductive isolation is debated.
with light silver sides and a darker back. It has small spots on its dorsal fin and larger ones on its head, a terminal mouth and a large number of gill rakers, typical of fish that feed in the pelagic zone. The mean size of adults is 36–38 cm and 0.6 to 0.8 kg, though there are maximum reported lengths of 56 cm weighing about 2.5 kg. The subpopulations on the northern end of the lake tend to be smaller.
The omul feeds primarily on zooplankton
, smaller fish and occasionally some benthic organisms. It feeds primarily in the rich pelagic zone of Lake Baikal up to 345–450 m. They are a relatively long-lived, iteroparous species that attains reproductive maturity at five to 15 years of age. The omul only enters the rivers that feed Lake Baikal to spawn, initiating short spawning migrations usually in mid-October, broadcasting 8000-30000 eggs before returning to the lake.
, though locals tend to prefer the fish salted. A popular Siberian salad called stroganina consists of uncooked frozen omul cut finely and served with pepper, salt and onion.
Due to its high demand, the omul is the object of one the most important commercial fisheries in Lake Baikal. The highest recorded annual landed catches occurred in 1940s and amounted to 60-80 thousand tonnes. A subsequent crash in the population led to a closing of the fishery in 1969, followed by a reopening with strict quotas in 1974 after some recovery of the stocks. Currently, the omul fishery accounts for roughly two thirds of the total Lake Baikal fishery. Fluctuations in the population and intensive fishing make sustaining the fishery one of the highest priorities for local fisheries managers.
Coregonus
Coregonus is a diverse genus of fish in the salmon family . The type species is the common whitefish . The Coregonus species are known as whitefishes...
species of the salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
family endemic to Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is the world's oldest at 30 million years old and deepest lake with an average depth of 744.4 metres.Located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast, it is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the...
in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. It is considered a delicacy and is the object of one of the largest commercial fisheries on Lake Baikal. In 2004, it was listed in Russia as an endangered species.
Taxonomy
The omul has traditionally been regarded as a subspecies of the Arctic ciscoArctic Cisco
Arctic cisco is an anadromous species of freshwater whitefish that inhabits the Arctic parts of Siberia, Alaska and Canada. It also has a close freshwater relative in several lakes of Ireland, known as the pollan, alternatively regarded as conspecific with it, or as a distinct species...
Coregonus autumnalis. However, recent genetic studies have shown that it actually belongs to the circumpolar Coregonus lavaretus-clupeaformis
Lake whitefish
The lake whitefish , also called the Sault whitefish or gizzard fish, is a species of freshwater whitefish from North America. Lake whitefish are found throughout much of Canada and parts of the northern United States, including all of the Great Lakes. A valuable commercial fish, they are also...
complex of lake whitefishes, which also has other members in Lake Baikal, and it is now considered its own species within Coregonus
Coregonus
Coregonus is a diverse genus of fish in the salmon family . The type species is the common whitefish . The Coregonus species are known as whitefishes...
. There are four or five traditionally accepted subpopulations within Lake Baikal: North Baikal (северобайкальский), Selenga (селенгинский), Chivyrkui (чивыркуйский) and Posolsk (посольский). These vary in size, feeding behavior and preferred spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
habitats. The extent of their reproductive isolation is debated.
Physical description and behavior
The omul is a slender pelagic fishPelagic fish
Pelagic fish live near the surface or in the water column of coastal, ocean and lake waters, but not on the bottom of the sea or the lake. They can be contrasted with demersal fish, which do live on or near the bottom, and reef fish which are associated with coral reefs.The marine pelagic...
with light silver sides and a darker back. It has small spots on its dorsal fin and larger ones on its head, a terminal mouth and a large number of gill rakers, typical of fish that feed in the pelagic zone. The mean size of adults is 36–38 cm and 0.6 to 0.8 kg, though there are maximum reported lengths of 56 cm weighing about 2.5 kg. The subpopulations on the northern end of the lake tend to be smaller.
The omul feeds primarily on zooplankton
Zooplankton
Zooplankton are heterotrophic plankton. Plankton are organisms drifting in oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water. The word "zooplankton" is derived from the Greek zoon , meaning "animal", and , meaning "wanderer" or "drifter"...
, smaller fish and occasionally some benthic organisms. It feeds primarily in the rich pelagic zone of Lake Baikal up to 345–450 m. They are a relatively long-lived, iteroparous species that attains reproductive maturity at five to 15 years of age. The omul only enters the rivers that feed Lake Baikal to spawn, initiating short spawning migrations usually in mid-October, broadcasting 8000-30000 eggs before returning to the lake.
Consumption and fishery
Omul is one of the primary food resources for people living in the Baikal region. It is considered a delicacy throughout Russia, and export to the west is of some economic importance. Smoked omul is widely sold around the lake and is one of the highlights for many travelers on the Trans-Siberian railwayTrans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is the longest railway in the world...
, though locals tend to prefer the fish salted. A popular Siberian salad called stroganina consists of uncooked frozen omul cut finely and served with pepper, salt and onion.
Due to its high demand, the omul is the object of one the most important commercial fisheries in Lake Baikal. The highest recorded annual landed catches occurred in 1940s and amounted to 60-80 thousand tonnes. A subsequent crash in the population led to a closing of the fishery in 1969, followed by a reopening with strict quotas in 1974 after some recovery of the stocks. Currently, the omul fishery accounts for roughly two thirds of the total Lake Baikal fishery. Fluctuations in the population and intensive fishing make sustaining the fishery one of the highest priorities for local fisheries managers.