Year of Award

2012

Document Type

Professional Paper

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Resource Conservation (International Conservation and Development)

Department or School/College

College of Forestry and Conservation

Committee Chair

Keith Bosak

Commitee Members

Matt McKinney, Steve Seibert

Keywords

angling, awareness, collaboration, conservation, education, Mongolia, taimen

Publisher

University of Montana

Abstract

Bailey, Daniel, M.S., December 2012 Resource Conservation COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION OF TAIMEN THROUGH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS KHOVSGOL AIMAG MONGOLIA Chair: Dr. Keith Bosak ABSTRACT: Siberian taimen (Hucho taimen) populations in northern Mongolia (the state of Khovsgol aimag) are threatened by illegal poaching, habitat loss, mining and recreational fishing. Taimen are the world’s largest salmonid, historically reaching lengths of 6.5 ft. and weighing as much as 200 lbs This unique species of fish is incredibly slow-growing, long-lived (up to 40 years) and late to reach sexual maturity (5-7 years). These characteristics -- coupled with overuse and habitat loss -- have resulted in a drastic species decline throughout its native range. In Mongolia alone, the taimen’s historical range has been reduced by nearly twenty per cent (Hogan, Z; Jensen, O; Rand, P; Weiss, S; IUCN Red Listing 2012). Taimen have been listed as endangered under the Mongolian, Russian and Chinese Red Lists. The intent of this project is to address taimen conservation through an educational campaign targeted at foreign and domestic anglers. The Spirit of the River (SOR) project addresses long-term protection of this rare and threatened fish. An education and awareness campaign was implemented in Murun (the provincial capital of Khovsgol aimag), the Murun regional airport and the Chinggis Khan International airport in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. The SOR campaign targets foreign and domestic anglers who come to Khovsgol aimag to fish for taimen.

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© Copyright 2012 Daneil H. Bailey