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Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Fund research on Golden Dorado in Argentina to develop more effective management strategies

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Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Golden Dorado Conservation Research

Fund research on Golden Dorado in Argentina to develop more effective management strategies

Fund research on Golden Dorado in Argentina to develop more effective management strategies

Fund research on Golden Dorado in Argentina to develop more effective management strategies

Fund research on Golden Dorado in Argentina to develop more effective management strategies

Francisco Mariani
Francisco Mariani
Francisco Mariani
Francisco Mariani
1 Campaign |
Salta, Argentina
$1,455 USD 17 backers
9% of $15,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

The Golden Dorado

Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is an iconic and charismatic fish species in neotropical rivers of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Both sport and commercial fishers value Dorado for their sustenance, vigor, beauty, and challenge. ­­Dorado provides economic support for communities in northern Argentina and throughout South America. Currently the species is facing severe pressure and declining populations due to overharvest harvest, habitat degradation, and poorly understood ecology, including movement patterns.


Little is known about Dorado movements and response to disturbance (Agostinho et al. 2008, Hahn et al 2011). The Salta region of Argentina is limited in management resources and faces high social and economic stakes under poor management of this species. A well-managed Dorado fishery could potentially provide long-term income to the region. We will investigate the impacts of catch-and-release (C&R) by measuring blood physiology and post-release activity patterns. This work will add to the development of best practices for the C&R of Dorado, plus provide insights into their movement ecology.

Our objective is to assess the impacts of recreational fishing, local stakeholder practices, and habitat conditions on Dorado. Catch-and-release impacts (fight time, air exposure, angling method) will be assessed for correlation with physiological biomarkers (blood lactate, blood glucose, blood pH). Additionally, after tagging fish with radio tags and subsequent mobile tracking, we will quantify immediate post-release behavior along with longer-term habitat selection, movement patterns, and home ranges. Data obtained from this study will be used to develop proactive conservation and management strategies for Dorado populations in the region. In addition the project will build capacity in the region for local guide and stakeholder involvement in continuing research.

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The research being conducted is guided by a team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation.

A team of ecologists will be working in the field, on the Rio Juramento to complete of the objectives you've seen listed.

As the first study of its kind the iconic Golden Dorado the findings and work here stands to be key info that ensures the Dorado will be thriving for years to come.

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What we need and what you'll get in exchange.

Conservation fieldwork and research face significant funding challenges, especially in remote and rural regions under significant environmental pressure of risk and loss.

Funds are needed to cover expenses for: research equipment, travel costs, local guides and assistance, housing, fuel, boats, permitting, and vehicles.

We are building partnerships with local and international partners: companies, universities, and organizations to garner sustainable funding. But with the exploratory and unknown nature of this work your start-up funds are what get this project off the ground.

Local guides have been incredibly supportive with their guidance and assistance to develop the research goals and initiatives.

Any funding that exceeds the need of research expenses is being endowed to the Fundacion Rio Juramento,  a non-profit organization devoted to protecting the Rio Juramento and surrounding watersheds that act as habitat for the Golden Dorado.

                                     

      

       

Specific objectives and tasks

1) Effects of catch and release on Dorado.

We will use a rapid assessment approach to quantify the physical and physiological impacts of catch and release recreational angling specific to Dorado (importance of species specific practices see: Cooke and Suski 2005).  We will measure hooking injury, physiological stress response, reflex impairment, and short-term mortality related to commonly used capture and handling methods for Dorado in the Salta region.  This type of information does not currently exist for Dorado. Information obtained though this research will lead to development of best practices that can be adopted by anglers, guides, and local management to increase post-release survivorship and provide valuable resources for managers and anglers in the development of management plans (Arlinghaus et al. 2007).

2) Post-release behavior and movements of Dorado

We will use radio telemetry to measure the behavioral response and short-term movement patters of Dorado following catch-and-release angling.  Gentle and aggressive handling treatments will be established based on the outcome of the rapid assessment, and fish from these treatments will be manually tracked post-release.  Correlative relationships will be possible between handling treatments and factors such as rates of movement, habitat selection, and dispersal from site of capture and release.  Measures of flow regulation, habitat conditions, riparian area loss, sedimentation, and irrigation diversion will also be classified and relationships will be noted. This element of our project will fill information gaps on post-release delayed mortality, and spatial ecology of Dorado in a region that is coming under greater pressures for development.

3) Socio-ecological survey development and deployment

We will conduct surveys of local stakeholders, including farmers, anglers, guides, and visiting tourists/fishers to classify conflict and perceptions related to Dorado and the Rio Juramento.  Closed and semi-structured interviews along with surveys will be used to identify issues constraining stewardship and management such as commercial harvest, recreational fisheries, and land-use. This element of the study will help put the outcomes of the first two projects into a broader perspective as they relate to conservation and management options for Dorado in the Salta region.  Addressing the social/fisheries conflicts will be critical for pro-active anticipatory rather than reactionary management.

Risks and challenges

Rivers, the fish the live in them, and the watersheds that feed in to them are incredibly dynamic systems that have supported communities for millennia. River protection and health is important to everyone that depends on them. Yet society is always facing additional pressure from social inequality and economic needs. We hope that the findings from our work will be key information in environmental decision making around Golden Dorado that is considerate of all challenges facing the communities supported by these fish and the rivers they inhabit.
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So what comes out of this work?

- When you fund any project you want to know; what is your money doing? And what greater impact will have?
So lets be clear about what comes out of this work...

1. Greater knowledge of the Dorado and the community it supports which better informs sustainable management and conservation

2. A chance to perform a rapid assessment of a poorly understood fish facing growing angling pressure in an emerging region. Which will provide lessons and guidelines to be applied to other fish facing similar pressures in remote and striking regions around the world in fast growing emerging regions.

3. Research for peer-reviewed scientific publications that will be published and shared with colleagues and the public that can better inform their own management, research, and conservation initiatives of catch-and-release fisheries in similar and varying locales.

4. A presentation will be developed for an international fisheries management symposium on the tools, lessons learned, and objectives achieved in this project. World leaders in recreational angling will be able to learn from, and provide comment on the initiative you supported. 

5. Social media, photo, video, and audio coverage of the efforts will be continuously shared during and after the project. This will be an opportunity to share the stories of local guides and community members with you, the interested and engaged angling community. Blog posts, instagram photos, and videos will be published on angling websites, organization website, and with company partners: Costa Sunglasses, Patagonia Fly Fishing, The Drake, and The Cleanest Line.
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Other ways you can support?

While any funds you can provide are appreciated immensely and used wisely, your support is valued just as much.

- Please raise awareness with your family, friends, and community about the value of Dorado fishery and conservation research. 

- Communicate with local decision makers about the importance of developing comprehensive and adaptive management action around recreational fisheries

- Share your photos, videos, and other media about your responsible and conservation minded recreational fishing. 

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Choose your Perk

COSTA hat

$25 USD
Certificate for your choice of a COSTA hat.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
1 out of 10 of claimed

Patagonia Hat

$50 USD
One of Patagonia's iconic hats
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
2 out of 10 of claimed

COSTA T-shirt

$50 USD
Your choice of a COSTA T-shirt.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
1 out of 10 of claimed

Golden Dorado Flies

$120 USD
Set of 5 Golden Dorado flies tied up by the great Alejandro Haro.
Estimated Shipping
September 2015
0 out of 20 of claimed

Patagonia Dorado Graphic Tee

$200 USD
Patagonia's first Golden Dorado Graphic T-shirt on Market.
Estimated Shipping
September 2015
1 out of 10 of claimed

Atom Stealth Hip Pack

$350 USD
Patagonia's Atom Stealth Hip Pack
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
0 out of 3 of claimed

Spey Aguas Claras® #7 - 12´9´

$500 USD
La caña para Dos Manos Aguas Claras Fly Fishing fue diseñada para pescar en los medianos y grandes rios de la Patagonia, como el Chimehuin, Limay, Gallegos y hasta Tierra del Fuego. Spey Aguas Claras Fly Fishing #7 - 12´9´ http://www.mendozaflyshop.com/507-spey-aguas-claras-fly-fishing-7-129/idioma-en-moneda-usd#
Estimated Shipping
August 2015
0 out of 1 of claimed

Cañas Aguas Claras® #8 G3

$500 USD
Cañas Aguas Claras Fly Fishing® #8 G3 La caña Aguas Claras G3 para línea # 8 fue creada y desarrollada con las características de una caña fuerte, de carga rápida y poder para lograr dar vuelta grandes moscas de dorados como también alcanzar largas distancias con shooting y amnesia o running. http://www.mendozaflyshop.com/504-caas-aguas-claras-fly-fishing-8-g3/idioma-en-moneda-usd
Estimated Shipping
August 2015
0 out of 1 of claimed

COSTA Sunglasses

$500 USD
Certificate for a pair of Costa Sunglasses.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
0 out of 15 of claimed

Juramento Mini Fish Week

$2,000 USD
You will receive 3 full fishing days in Juramento River included.
Estimated Shipping
September 2016
0 out of 4 of claimed

Las Buitreras Lodge, Argentina

$8,000 USD
From April 16-23, 2016, experience sea run and resident brown trout superimposed across the stunning scenery of the Rio Gallegos, Patagonia, Argentina. You’ll stay at the all-inclusive Solid Adventures Las Buitreras Lodge, and have your chance at a fish of a lifetime. Many thanks to the generosity of Solid Adventures for providing this AMAZING perk. This perk does NOT include airfare.
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April 2016
0 out of 1 of claimed
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Sage ONE Outfit

$700 USD
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
1 out of 1 of claimed

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