Summary Conservation Action Plans for Mongolian Fishes

An expert working group assessed the fishes of Mongolia during the Mongolian Biodiversity Databank Workshop from October 31st to November 4th 2005, using the ‘IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria’ (IUCN, 2001) in conjunction with the ‘Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Levels’ (IUCN, 2003). This was the first time that regional guidelines had been applied to Mongolian fishes, and the results of the assessment provided an overview of their conservation status. A full list of species occurring in Mongolia and possible species is included in Annex I. Nearly a quarter of fish species found in Mongolia are regionally threatened, including all of Mongolia’s currently known endemic species. During the assessment process, a number of suggestions were made regarding conservation measures that could be implemented to help arrest the decline of these threatened species. These suggestions were expanded after the workshop, and are presented here together with population data and threat information, in the form of summary conservation action plans.

Eleven Mongolian fish species were identified as threatened. Each of these threatened species are the subject of a summary conservation action plan in this document. However, it should be noted that the quantity and quality of available data varies between these species. The taimen (Hucho taimen) is the most studied fi sh species in Mongolia, and the conservation measures suggested here build on existing work. In contrast, the Gobi loach (Barbatula dgebuadzei) and Dzungarian dace (Leuciscus dzungaricus) have only recently been described and very little is known about them, making baseline research a priority. For other species such as the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), considerable information is available across the rest of their global ranges, but little is known about their occurrence in Mongolia.

These summary conservation action plans are intended to highlight species that are of particular concern, and alert policy-makers, conservationists, and government and planning authorities of actions that will help to ensure that all fishes of Mongolia maintain viable populations into the future. None of the species listed in this document have specific, detailed action plans in place, and the Summary Conservation Action Plans for Mongolian Fishes are not intended to preclude the need for these detailed plans. Each summary conservation action plan presents information about the status of the species, the current known distribution, threats faced, conservation measures already established, and recommended further conservation measures. The future of Mongolia's aquatic biodiversity depends on the response of the Mongolian and global community to the plight of the species discussed in these summary conservation action plans.

 Read Full Action Plan (pdf format, 728KB)