[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dzzaRU47s4&w=560&h=349]

Visit the Taimen Conservation Project Camp in Mongolia (watch Vol. 1 of National Geographic’s Monster Fish Program “The Last Refuge of Taimen” hosted by fisheries biologist Dr. Zeb Hogan)

This series follows University of Montana graduate student Dan Bailey as he travels the wilds of Mongolia to survey and tag Taimen, the world’s largest trout. From the team’s remote field camp, Dan will post to the Club EcoBlu blog as he assists with the Taimen Conservation Project this summer.  Taimen are highly endangered, have been known to grow to 6-ft long and more than 200 lbs.  The information gathered will aid in drafting a conservation plan to protect this megafish.  Trout Headwaters, Inc. is a sponsor of the project.

Notes from the Field – June 10, 2011

Overseen by Nuka, a Mongolian graduate student from the Ecology Department at the National University of Mongolia, tagging begins June 15 for the Taimen Conservation Project.  We are really excited to work in collaboration with the National University to preserve the world’s largest trout.  Every Taimen caught this season, and in the future, will be outfitted with a 12mm radio frequency tag.  These small tags are injected directly underneath the skin between the pelvic fins.  This non-invasive approach will ensure that each fish tagged will be released back into the river healthy and begin providing valuable scientific knowledge on growth rates, migration patterns, and overall numbers of fish found in this beautiful river.