Salmon Conservation In Russia

Salmon

The Russian government is trying to protect its Kamchatka peninsula, one of Earth's last salmon strongholds.

In fact, a proposed plan would protect an area encompassing nine rivers and six million acres. That's larger than the Adirondack National Park, the largest U.S. park outside Alaska.

The area is home to six species of pacific salmon. Tens of millions of the fish run and spawn there.

The plan creates a linked network of watersheds, the first of its kind, that will produce wild salmon for large-scale fishing, sports anglers, and scientific research. It would also propel Russia to the forefront of efforts to protect salmon from overfishing, poaching and the habitat destruction that devastated sturgeon, bluefin tuna, and cod, as well as the salmon's Atlantic cousin.

Kamchatka produces about one-sixth of the North Pacific Ocean's salmon. And until 15 years ago, the area was a closed Soviet military zone . The plan could produce a model for salmon conservation that could be used in the United States, and around the world. All eyes will be on Kamchatka as the region begins to implement this ambitious plan.

Script by Andrew Porterfield

Discovery Links

To learn more about today’s topic, please explore the links below:

• Kamchatka program
• Upstream battle: Russia fish reserve
• Kamchatka salmon