In a huge step forward for the stronghold protection strategy developed over the past two decades by Wild Salmon Center and our partners in Russia, the government of Khabarovsky-Krai officially created two massive new protected areas on the Tugur and Maia watersheds—a combined area of 3.7 million acres.

The creation of the Tugursky (Middendorf) and Maisky Reserves will be a powerful tool to safeguard these systems' priceless biodiversity—including salmon and giant taimen—against expanding threats from logging, mining, and industrial development in the Russian Far East.

“There aren’t too many places like this on Earth,” says WSC President & CEO Guido Rahr. “These rivers are capable of growing salmonids that surpass 100 pounds, and they support amazing wildlife: Steller’s sea eagles, Blakiston’s fish owls, wolves, brown bears, moose, Manchurian elk, and dozens of other species.”

At a time of rising geopolitical tensions, this milestone also shows the possibilities of cooperation and joint achievement between U.S. and Russian scientists and conservationists.

The mission of the Wild Salmon Center is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim.

Photo credit: Tugur River (Guido Rahr).

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