Olga Lukyanova (third from right) from the research group of Robert Arlinghaus (first from right) was honoured with the Katharina Heinroth Prize 2024. | Photo: Rudy Plarre
In the Boddenpike project, the research group led by Robert Arlinghaus aimed to better understand the pike in the Bodden waters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in order to jointly find ways to conserve and develop pike stocks for species protections purposes and for commercial fishing, angling and tourism in the long term.
In her work, Olga Lukyanova analysed the spatial and seasonal space use and movement patterns of northern pike. She also assessed to what extent existing spatial management and conservation measures in the area were aligned with pike behavioural patterns. She could show that the pike moved very little between different lagoons for most of the year, except during the spring spawning season when movement increased markedly. Most of the individuals monitored showed fidelity to the spawning grounds.
"We also identified the optimal areas for pike protection in the study and were able to show that although the existing protection measures cover some areas where pike occur both year-round and during the spawning season, closures of more areas may be necessary to ensure sufficient conservation," said the scientist. "I am delighted that my master's thesis has been honoured, which will hopefully help to advance the protection of the pike."
The prize was awarded during the scientific meeting of the society on 16 January at the Institute of Biology/Zoology at the FU Berlin. The Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin was founded in 1773. This makes it the oldest private natural history association still in existence in Germany.
Congratulations, Olga!
