Mass die-off of sturgeon recorded in the Caspian Sea

Carcasses of 173 sturgeon fish were discovered on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to RIA Novosti, this was announced by the Kazakhstani Ministry of Agriculture.

"On October 20, 2026, during a joint patrol operation, inspectors from the Zhaiyk-Caspian Inter-regional Basin Fisheries Inspectorate and the Fisheries Department of the Mangystau Region discovered 173 carcasses of sturgeon species on the coast of the Caspian Sea, in the coastal area between the locality of 'Sarzha' and the Kumdy Island of the Karakiyan District cape," the statement said.

It was clarified that a special commission has been established to determine the circumstances of the incident and take appropriate measures. "Specialists from the Department of Ecology have collected water samples from the Caspian Sea for research... Monitoring work is currently ongoing," the ministry noted.

On October 13, the republic's Ministry of Agriculture reported 15 dead seals found near the village of Bautino on the Caspian coast. The agency stated that such incidents frequently occur in spring and autumn during stormy westerly winds.