Influence of Sea Surface Temperature Changes on the Development of Sprat (Sprattus sprattus phalericus) (Pisces: Clupeidae) Living on the South-Western Shelf of Crimea

A study of changes in sea surface temperature (SST) on the South-Western shelf of the Crimea in 2000–2020 was conducted. The equations of trends in the change of SST are found. It is shown that according to the nature of changes in the average annual sea temperature, three periods can be divided: 2000–2007, 2008–2013 and 2014–2020. The influence of changes in the average annual SST on the development of pelagic fish of the cold-waters complex (on the example of the Black Sea sprat) is considered. Changes in the main parameters of populations and their relationship with the change in the average annual SST were found. It was found that the observed increase in sea temperature negatively affected the development of the sprat population, the average age of the population decreased by 1.3 times, in general, the population was rejuvenated, the average size and weight of individuals decreased.