Protecting Salmon in Russia and Portland
David Gordon and I spent the last few days at the Wild Salmon Center’s annual “Sustainable Salmon Fisheries in the Russian Far East” conference in Portland. Still in my first month on the job, I boarded the plane last Sunday both excited and anxious. I was thrilled at the opportunity to meet my American and Russian colleagues and learn from their experience, but I was also nervous to be a neophyte among so many respected and experienced conservationists.
Over two days we heard presentations on the threats of poaching and genetic contamination by hatchery fish, and then split into groups to discuss different methods of addressing these problems. My group, which chose “communications and public relations,” developed an educational program to use the internet to spread news and information about declining salmon populations throughout the Kamchatka peninsula. Other groups developed new strategies concerning anti-poaching patrols, hatchery releases, and even legislative changes. By the end of the conference we had developed six plans that addressed all levels of society; from Kamchatkan natives in remote villages to the powerbrokers of the Russian Federation.
When we were not actively participating in the conference I found time to chat with my colleagues in corners, at tables, or over dinner. We spoke of everything from their families and personal interests to their beginnings in the environmental movement and fears for the future. They described problems that they observe on a daily basis, and I began to form a much clearer understanding of the huge challenge we face in the Far East. But I also began to understand how fighting an uphill battle, and risking their livelihoods, to protect their “little motherland” has helped our colleagues form a close-knit fraternity.
On the final evening we drove a convoy of vans to the Columbia River Gorge for a brief hike. As we rode, three Russians in the van ahead of me debated over some conservation tactic until one American colleague broke in, saying “there’s the Columbia River. Until sixty years ago it had the biggest salmon runs in the world.” For a moment everyone paused and looked quietly at the sun setting over the river, turned yellow with the reflection of the sunset and the autumn hues on surrounding trees. Then the Russians returned to their discussion, pointing fingers and shouting over one another. I couldn’t help but think that, if the passion and dedication of the men in that van can be harnessed and spread throughout the Far East, Russia’s rivers can be spared the Columbia’s fate.
Tags: communities, environment, Fisheries, Kamchatka, Marine, rivers, Russia, Salmon, Water
