Is taimen listed in the Red Book and why should it be released?

Many anglers visiting the Putorana Plateau on trophy fishing trips often have questions about salmon fishing regulations. One of them is whether it's true that the taimen, the ruler of Siberian rivers, is listed in the Red Book and must be released after being caught.

We propose to examine all this in detail, based on the letter of the law. Because fishermen have different opinions on this matter. Some argue that river tigerfish should not be caught, while others say the opposite. We'll find out who's right in this publication.

Which taimen is listed in the Red Book?

The noble carnivore is divided into several species: common, Sakhalin, Danube, Korean, and Sichuan. However, only two of them are found in Russia:

• The common taimen is a salmonid fish native to the cold, freshwater rivers of the Urals, the Far East, and Siberia, including the Putorana Plateau Nature Reserve. The hucho taimen is the largest predator, but unfortunately, the species is critically endangered. Fishing bans are being rapidly implemented across the country. Currently, hunting for this endangered species is prohibited in various bodies of water in various regions, including the Altai Krai, Sverdlovsk Oblast, and Kemerovo Oblast. To protect the common taimen in the 1,000 lakes and waterfalls of the Putorana Plateau, where human hands and feet have not yet fully reached, fishing is conducted according to sporting rules. After catching the predator, to avoid legal trouble, fishermen are required to release it back into its natural habitat.
• The Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi) is a saltwater inhabitant of the Sea of Japan. This species migrates to freshwater river mouths only to spawn. Its population is not currently under significant threat. However, the structures being erected in these waters are causing serious concern. They block passage to spawning grounds, making even this marine predator vulnerable to extinction.

As for its other relatives, each individual of the species will be under protection by the end of 2024:

• The Danube is considered a relict species and still lives in the waters of the Danube.
• The Sichuan taimen, a single specimen caught in China's Yangtze River, is still questioned about its existence.
• The Korean relative (Hucho ishikawai) is a resident of the Korean reservoir Yalu, similar in appearance to our Sakhalin predator.

What are the consequences of illegal taimen fishing?

If a fisherman doesn't have a special license and permit to catch noble predatory species like taimen, they face not only a hefty fine. According to Article 256 "On the Illegal Extraction of Aquatic Resources," the fisherman risks their freedom for up to five years. This also applies to other fish species, such as sturgeon.

It's also worth noting that Article 258 of the Russian Criminal Code can cause even more serious problems for hapless fishermen. It carries penalties of up to nine years in prison and a fine of several million rubles.

In cases where a taimen is accidentally caught on a hook, it's not illegal to call a poacher if they simply release the trophy back. This eliminates the crime and doesn't entail liability.

These are the rules of trophy fishing on the Putorana Plateau. Fishermen carefully reel the predator out of its natural habitat, and after a photo and weighing, the river tiger heads off to once again sail the cold waters of the Siberian nature reserve.

Briefly about the main thing

In 2025, anglers will face further new regulations. Taimen is currently listed not only in the Russian Federation's Red Book but also in the international Red Book, which will significantly impact fishing in the future. Only fishing in private fisheries will no longer be considered a violation of the law.

In some regions and districts of the country, permits for catching taimen may be issued for specific bodies of water. According to the sport's catch-and-release rules, fishing for the river tiger and the master of Siberian rivers is permitted in the Krasnoyarsk, Khabarovsk, Primorsky, and Altai Krais. Fishing is also permitted in the Tyva and Buryatia rivers.