"The Great Salmon Run" Museum Highlights; Highly recommended spots on September

昨晩のNHKの全国版トップニュースでは知床半島のヒグマが信じられないほど
やせているという衝撃的なニュースが伝えられていました。
なんでも今年、秋のヒグマの主なエサになるカラフトマスの遡上数が知床周辺では
極端に少なく、食糧不足ではないかとのこと。

一方で、知床半島の基部にある標津川ではカラフトマスの数は少ないものの、
おびただしい数のシロザケがサーモンパークから徒歩3分ほどの観覧橋でご覧いただけます。

ここ数日、科学館に来館されたお客さんからは
「信じられない数のサケ(動画アップしました)に感動した～」という
うれしい声がよせられています。

※外国人のお客様むけに今時期のサーモン科学館の見どころを紹介しています。

Here, I introduce you the highlights of Shibetsu Salmon Museum on September.

Shibetsu Salmon Museum is unique aquarium, located in Shibetsu town (at the lower part of Shiretoko peninsula), and has the largest collection of Salmonid species in Japan: over 18 salmonid species. The museum is also well known as the best shiretoko sightseeing spots for  rainy days.

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 Yesterday, I watched the surprising TV news that brown bear inhabiting Shiretoko  has become much thinner prabably due to the reduction of pink salmon (bear's main food) returning to shiretoko river.

 

 On the other hand,  these days, a great number of chum salmon migrating upstream to Shibetsu River (at the lower part of Shiretoko peninsula).

 

Therefore, visitors can observe "The Great Salmon Run" ( a great number of chum salmon migrating upstream) in front of  "urai" (fishing weir for capturing adult salmon) at the Shibetsu River inspection bridge.

A great number of chum and pink salmon (Shibetsu River inspection bridge)

Salmon migrating upstream and sometimes jumping (fishway tank)

In addition to the bridge, visitors can see shoals of chum salmon migrating upstream through fishway tank, which is connected to the Shibetsu River from September to October.

From September to October, visitors can see a shoals of chum and pink salmon migrating upstream.

water wheel for capturing salmon 

At the uppermost reach of the fishway, salmon  is captured by using a unique fishing gear, water wheel for use of artificial fertilization!!
Visitors can see  the exciting scene  from Septenber to October!!


                                                                                                                                                              (K.N)