Eg river is the outflow of Khuvsgul Lake, which is the freshwater lake of Mongolia and flows down 510 km attributing to the Selenge River the biggest river of Mongolia where many species of fishes and aquatic faunas are habituated. In accordance with the report of Mongolian and Russian expedition in 1983 there are 12 families 24 species of fish in the Selenge river watershed and 11 families 17 species in Eg River. Since the PIU established in 2014 initiated research activities to protect fish and aquatic habitats.

 

The research is planned to conduct during 5-7 years in following three stages of the project:

 

• Preconstruction period;

• Construction period;

• Operation period

 

The research was conducted by the team of “Environment protection taimen conservation fund of Mongolia” NGO that has experience at Eg-Uur river leaded by Dr. B.Mendsaikhan Researcher of Institute of Geo-Ecology of MAS and Dr. Olaf Jensen professor of Rutgers University of USA and following team members:

 

• Dr. Noreen Mcaulife,

• Mr. Christopher Free,

• Drs. Sudeep Chandra, Nevada University,

• Dr. Brant Allen,

• Dr. Mark Pyron,

• Dr. Jeff Thompson,

• Dr. Johannes Irgeher,

• Dr. James Thorp, Kanzas University,

• Dr. Zeb Hogan, Research and Director of “Monster fish” Project of National Geographic chanel,

• Dr. Andreas Zitek, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna Austria

• Dr. Thomas Prohaska.

 

The detailed research includes fish movement, food habitat, genetic relation and other studies have been conducted within 100 km of Eg and Selenge rivers catching areas. Also the workshop “Fish passage design at cross-river obstacles experience from different countries with potential irrelevance to Mongolia” was organized in collaboration with the United Nation’s (FAO) Food Agriculture Organizations in Bulgan province.

The participants of the workshop were experts on fish passage facilities, biologist-ichthyologist and environmental specialists from Mongolia, Germany, Austria, France and considered all possible fish passages exist in today’s practice and make complex decision with fish movement from dam down flow to upstream agreed and recommended to select the “catch and carry” method and conduct detailed investigation. In following the recommendation the design of fish pass included in the Feasibility study of Egiin Goliin HPP and detailed study is in progress. Implementation of fish and aquatic life habitat study in preconstruction period will provide possibility to construct Egiin Goliin HPP with fish pass in accordance with the international standard and fish life condition of Eg and Selenge river.

The Eg River has more ‘river’ habitats in comparison with Selenge River. That means fishes that thrive in river with rapid stream, berm, rapid like ruff, taiman, trout take 55.3% of all type fishes involved in this research.

 

ОIn recent time radio investigation is in progress for fish movement through radio indicators with type SR (Lotek brand) installed in 13 taimans, 1 pike, 1 whitefish and 1 trout and transmission indicators with type “pit tag” installed in 7 trouts and 13 Mongolian graylings.

 

According the fish population involved in the research the area for HPP suitable for movement and habitat of young fish. So it is required to conduct more detailed biological investigation for generation and define place and movement for generation.

 

There are 5 taimans, 100 trouts and 44 ruffs killed by fishing spear at the upstream part of Eg river during generation period in 2014 and has been taken measures in accordance with law. In this period 45 violations were detected and imposed penalty of 929600 MNT and replacement of 3’074’000 MNT for 25 persons. Also 252 kg fish killed illegally and 8 fishing rods were confiscated and transferred to state income and 2 fish-baskets were demolished. Therefore it is required to pay attention during research work to protect fish and aquatic life habitats.