annual report - The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund

ANNUAL REPORT 2010 PAGE 58
PROJECT DETAILS:
The main research objective is to build on
existing data to describe the population
structure in river systems on Sakhalin,
Iturup and Kunashir Islands in the Russian
Far East. Sensitive genetic markers
(microsatellite DNA) and other biological
data are employed to help describe the
degree of reproductive isolation across
a network of populations residing in the
rivers under examination and to help
estimate the population size in key rivers.
The resulting data will be used to inform
conservation planning and help justify the
creation of protected areas for the species
in this region.
Dagi River, Sakhalin Island
RESULTS:
Dagi River, Sakhalin Island
The project team discovered that Sakhalin
taimen in rivers in the northeast region of
Sakhalin Island, including the Dagi River,
are unique genetically from other taimen
populations. Some analyzed populations
exhibit limited genetic diversity which is
indicative of a small population size. The
genetic data, coupled with the fact that this
species grows very slowly and has a very
long generation time, underscore the need
to take immediate conservation action. The
results are informing the development of a
protected areas plan for Sakhalin and for
specific protected area proposals.
“The Fund has advanced on-the-ground field efforts to conserve
an ancient and critically endangered species of fish. The Fund has
helped finance river surveys in this underserved region and has
helped maintain an active international research program. Results
from field and laboratory research will help strengthen justification
to create new protected areas and provide valuable baseline
information on the status of populations that have never been
systematically surveyed.”
Releasing a Sakhalin taimen
HOW THE MOHAMED BIN ZAYED
SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND HAS HELPED
“Monies from the Fund have leveraged matching grants and are
providing a foundation for strengthening the project and recruiting
additional donors.”
Peter Rand
State of the Salmon Program at the Wild Salmon Center
Sakhalin Taimen, Hucho perryi