Fly-fishing eco-tourism and community-based taimen conservation
Scientists estimate the maximum potential population density of this top predator in Mongolia’s rivers is only around 20 Taimen per kilometer, and that is in the most productive and pristine rivers. The implication of this is that Taimen need to be protected, every one caught should be carefully released to the river after taking a photo, and you shouldn’t expect to catch great numbers.
Despite the often quoted stories about Mongolians not eating fish, its no longer the case that Mongolian’s don’t fish; still little subsistence fishing occurs but the pressure from irresponsible sport fishing and commercial fishing is increasing. Taking a trophy Taimen for the table or to nail its head to the wall can rapidly decimate the population of large old fish; but more significant is the threat of commercial fishing, especially poaching with nets in the winter for export to China or Russia. Gold mining is also a threat: illegal artisanal miners, the so-called Ninjas can now be found panning for gold in some rivers.
Fortunately the threats are still localized and you can still find good fishing. Responsible fly-fishing outfitters have initiated conservation projects and are actively protecting certain rivers, sponsoring ranger patrols, and working with local communities to protect river resources for the benefit of all. In fact conservation has become an integral part of business for the most responsible outfitters. We are doing our part by working at the grass roots level with communities and local authorities. We have helped one herder community organize themselves into a conservation co-op with rights to protect a 50 km stretch of river, we have purchased motorbikes for local rangers and police to make anti-poaching patrols, and we pay the salary for a ranger to patrol another remote stretch of river; all from our own pocket and without the support of large donor projects.
We are dedicated to the cause of taimen conservation and consider ourselves to be amongst the most ethical and responsible outfitters in Mongolia. In the five years since we began operations we have pioneered new approaches to community-based conservation of Taimen fisheries, including the establishment of a ‘Taimen Sanctuary’ and the first community fly-fishing tourism partnerships in Mongolia.
To us eco-tourism means both being actively involved in conservation and working with local communities to improve their livelihoods and give them an incentive to protect their natural resources. We don’t use jet boats as most of the rivers we are fishing are mostly unsuitable for motorized boats. Without this option we have to work harder to distribute anglers on the river and can’t fish as much water from one camp; but this gives us the opportunity to interact with the local people, by hiring horses, yaks and camels for local transport.
Community and volunteer rangers actively patrol the Taimen rivers that we fish, and we support these local community initiatives. Our conservation and community projects have included assistance to local villages to provide fresh drinking water for their citizens; contributing to ranger salaries and the donation of two motorbikes for rangers; environmental education events; and support to local community-based conservation initiatives.
Catch and release is now required by law. Both spinning and fly-fishing methods are permitted using only single barbless hooks when angling for Taimen. Treble hooks are banned. Fishing season officially opens June 15th to allow Taimen to spawn undisturbed during May.
