As I write this in late July 2012, I am getting ready to begin a 12 day trip to the Onon River Basin in Eastern Mongolia.  The purpose of this trip is to conduct a situation assessment dealing with several issues along the Onon River.  Reportedly the birthplace of Chinggis Khan, the Onon River is an incredibly special place.  I know of no other river in Mongolia that has received as much conservation work and attention as the Onon.  The work along the Onon is a partnership between local, conservation-minded fishing clubs, WWF-Mongolia, the Soum level government, and private tour operator/fishing outfitter Mongolian River Outfitters. This unique relationship has been allowed to grow and develop with financial support from the Rare campaign (http://www.rareconservation.org/article/onon-river-mongolia) and a Patagonia World Trout Grant. 

Like so many other rivers in Mongolia the Onon faces direct threats from overfishing, mining, unregulated tourism, and illegal taimen poaching.  The partners listed above began a campaign highlighting the unique environment of the Onon River Basin and the important role taimen play in this ecosystem. Started in 2008, this campaign has been called the Onon River Pride Campaign and has fundamentally changed local perceptions of taimen in the Onon River.  I was asked by WWF-Mongolia to conduct an assessment of the activities of the six local fishing clubs that have been formed along the river. 

Additionally, at the request of the fishing clubs and Mongolian River Outfitters, I am to speak with local government officials about (1)  increasing the authority and enforcement capabilities of the fishing clubs, (2) using the fishing clubs as the point of contact for all domestic anglers, (3) using Mongolian River Outfitters as the point of contact of international anglers, (4) a 25 year contract implementation of the agreed upon taimen sanctuary and (5) a strict no-taimen-hatchery stance for the Onon watershed.  I am very excited to get the chance to work with WWF field officer Gankoyag Balbar “Gaana” on this trip.  He has been the driving force behind the Onon Pride campaign and has worked tirelessly to promote taimen conservation along the Onon.  His work has been the catalyst for much of the taimen conservation work that has been completed in Mongolia.

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.  Dan is posting to the Club EcoBlu blog as he assists with the Taimen Conservation Project.. 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.