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Auger trap on Taranai River

Auger trap on Taranai River

Programs

SSI Regional Salmonid Monitoring PlanSakhalin Salmon Initiative

Monitoring and research are necessary components of any science-based effort to conserve biodiversity and natural resources, including salmon populations. Gathering of baseline data regarding the status of fish populations and their habitat allows for an assessment of current condition and ongoing trends, which can inform conservation strategies.

Prior to official initiation of the SSI project, local stakeholders identified several monitoring objectives for inclusion in the future Initiative, including:

  • Development of a monitoring program for masu, taimen and other non-commercial salmonid populations
  • Exchange of monitoring protocols and methodologies between North Pacific salmon countries
  • Ecosystem and fish population status monitoring in conservation priority areas

These and other project components were included in the Sakhalin Salmon Initiative International Conference resolution.

Accomplishments

Snorkel monitoring

In early 2008, a plan for the monitoring program was drafted jointly by representatives of the Sakhalin Fisheries and Oceanography Institute (SakhNIRO), Sakhalinrybvod and the SSI Center. Representatives of Wild Salmon Center and the United States Forest Service reviewed the draft and provided expertise.

The main goal of the monitoring plan is to gather data regarding status and trends of salmonid populations and their habitat on a Sakhalin island-wide scale. Species included in the program are pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), chum salmon (O. keta), coho (O. kisutch), cherry salmon (O. masu), of Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi), arctic char (Salvelinus leucomaenis) and arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). The plan uses a "rotating panel" design, moving between regions of Sakhalin Island on a six year cycle. In 2008, research work focused upon the Aniva (southern) region of Sakhalin. The following objectives were accomplished:

  • Baseline fish population and habitat data was gathered for three Aniva rivers.
  • A rotating smolt trap, the first to be used on Sakhalin island, was used to monitor juvenile outmigration on the Taranai river.
  • Local scientists were trained in remote sensing habitat analysis using the programs ArcGIS 9.1 and NetMap. NetMap, a GIS-based watershed analysis program, was translated into Russian.

Objectives

Sakhalin bioanalysis

Sakhalin researcher performs bioanalysis of salmon samples.

In 2009, the program is focusing on three rivers in the Southeastern region of Sakhalin. Work is also continuing on a control river in the Aniva region, the Kura River. Meanwhile, a taimen genetic research effort in collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of General Genetics is included in the effort, pending receipt of necessary catch permits.

Beyond 2009, local partners involved in the SSI are hopefully that continued funding for the work will be made available, allowing the program to finish one six-year cycle and begin a second cycle. Completion of two full cycles is necessary in order to draw conclusions regarding salmon population and habitat trends.

Additional methodologies and technologies may be included in the program as it continues, including sonar monitoring of escapement and/or radio telemetry systems for monitoring fish migration timing and patterns.

Salmon Ecoregions

Sakhalin Salmon Ecoregions

In Sakhalin, there are six distinct ecoregions within the larger framework of the Pacific Rim. These regions were determined based on catchments and nearshore and ocean systems that salmon use, each with their own set of physical characteristics.

Key species targeted for monitoring projects within these ecoregions are:

Masu/cherry

  • Scientific name: Oncorhynchus masu
  • Endemic to Asia (native range includes Japan, Korea and Russian Far East)
  • Locally abundant, but not an important commercial species
  • Grows up to 70 cm in length or 6 kg in weight, lives up to 6 years, anadromous life history

Sakhalin Taimen

  • Scientific name: Hucho perryi
  • Endemic to Asia (native range includes Japan and Russian Far East)
  • Rare, caught occasionally as bycatch in salmon fishery
  • Grows up to 2 m in length or 100 kg in weight, very long lived (>20 yrs), amphidromous life history

Pink

  • Officially created by mayoral decree in 2009.
  • Wide distribution across the North Pacific (native to both Asia and North America)
  • Very abundant, important commercial species
  • Grows up to 60 cm in length or 3 kg in weight, two year life span, anadromous life history

Download a copy of the 2009 work plan for this and other SSI projects.