Conservationists Urge Immediate Action to Save Migratory Fish from Extinction
Conservationists are sounding the alarm over the urgent need to protect migratory fish species from extinction, as these aquatic creatures face escalating environmental threats. Numerous species that traverse rivers, lakes, and ponds are under severe pressure from dams, pollution, and overfishing, which disrupt their migration to breeding grounds and threaten their survival.
Alarming Decline in Fish Populations
According to a recent assessment by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a United Nations environmental treaty, some of the world's most significant animal migrations occur underwater in rivers, many of which are now rapidly deteriorating. The report highlights iconic species such as the Golden Mahseer and Goonch catfish among 30 flagship freshwater fish prioritized for global conservation.
The study evaluated over 15,000 species of freshwater migratory fish, representing approximately half of all fish species globally. It found that their populations have plummeted by an estimated 81% over the past five decades, underscoring a critical biodiversity crisis.
Critical Role of Freshwater Fish
Co-author of the report and Professor of Biology at the University of Nevada, Zeb Hogan, emphasized the vital importance of freshwater fish in supporting human livelihoods. "Freshwater fish are essential for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. They provide food for around 200 million individuals and represent immense biological diversity that must be safeguarded," he stated.
Hogan noted the remarkable diversity of migratory fish species, ranging from those weighing over 295 kilograms to others capable of traveling more than 7,000 miles. "You have fish of every shape and size imaginable—from large species to beautiful golden dorado that undertake long-distance migrations in South America, to tropical eels that journey thousands of miles in Oceania," he added.
Global Threats and Regional Breakdown
The report identified 325 additional species that should be included in a global agreement aimed at monitoring and protecting threatened migratory animals. Many of these species, such as Allis shad, river lamprey, brook lamprey, and Atlantic salmon found in the United Kingdom, are not only endangered but also hold significant cultural and economic value for communities globally.
A regional analysis reveals that Asia has the highest number of threatened species at 205, followed by South America with 55, Europe with 50, Africa with 42, and North America with 32. Priority river basins highlighted in the report include:
- South America's Amazon and La Plata–Paraná systems
- Europe's Danube
- Asia's Mekong
- Africa's Nile
- The Ganges–Brahmaputra basin in the Indian subcontinent
Call for Coordinated Conservation Efforts
Prepared by CMS scientific experts using global datasets and IUCN assessments, the report offers one of the most comprehensive overviews to date of migratory freshwater fish conservation needs. It outlines practical measures that governments can implement immediately, such as:
- Protecting migration corridors and environmental flows
- Adopting basin-wide management plans
- Strengthening transboundary monitoring
- Coordinating seasonal fishing practices
Deputy Lead for Freshwater at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) US, Michele Thieme, highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of these species. "The Golden Mahseer is an iconic fish of the Himalayas, often called the 'tiger of the river'. It holds deep cultural and spiritual value for many communities, beyond its economic importance," she said.
Thieme warned that the crisis affecting migratory fish is more severe than widely recognized. "Rivers do not recognize borders, and neither do the fish that depend on them. The crisis unfolding beneath our waterways is far more severe than most people realize, and we are running out of time. Rivers must be managed as connected systems, with coordination across borders and investments in basin-wide solutions before these migrations are lost forever," she emphasized.
