A recent global study has highlighted a significant 81% decline in migratory freshwater fish populations between 1970 and 2020. The study attributes this drastic reduction to habitat loss, degradation, and overfishing, which pose severe threats to these fish species essential for global food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
While 65% of fish species have seen declines, 31% have shown increases, indicating that conservation efforts and effective management strategies can yield positive results. The report urges stronger monitoring, the protection of free-flowing rivers, and adherence to global biodiversity goals to address this crisis.
Herman Wanningen, founder of the World Fish Migration Foundation, emphasized the urgency of action: “The catastrophic decline in migratory fish populations is a deafening wake-up call for the world. We must act now to save these keystone species and their rivers.”
Global Study Reveals Alarming % Decline in Migratory Freshwater Fish Populations
The study, conducted by the World Fish Migration Foundation, Zoological Society of London, International Union for Conservation of Nature, The Nature Conservancy, Wetlands International, and WWF, analyzed data from 1,864 populations of 284 migratory freshwater fish species worldwide. The findings revealed significant regional variations, with Latin America and the Caribbean experiencing a 91% decline, Europe 75%, North America 35%, and Asia-Oceania 28%.
Migratory freshwater fish, crucial for food security and livelihoods, face threats from habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. Despite these challenges, nearly one-third of monitored species have shown population increases, suggesting that targeted conservation efforts can be effective.
The report highlights the need for habitat restoration, dam removals, and the creation of conservation sanctuaries. It calls for stronger global efforts to meet biodiversity goals, protect and restore free-flowing rivers, and enhance data collection, especially in underrepresented regions like Asia, Africa, and South America.
This report underscores the importance of immediate and coordinated global action to protect migratory freshwater fish species and their habitats.
