Collaborative Conservation of Taimen (Hucho taimen)Through Education and Awareness Khovsgol Aimag Mongolia

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Montana

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Bailey, Daneil H.

• angling
• awareness
• collaboration
• conservation
• education
• Mongolia
• taimen

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/203

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.umt.edu:etd-1222