A recent report from a coalition of regional and international environmental groups has sounded the alarm, revealing that one-fifth of fish species in the Mekong River are on the brink of extinction. The Mekong, renowned as one of the world’s most biodiverse rivers, with a staggering 1,148 recognised species of fish, is facing severe threats due to various factors.
The report highlights the detrimental impacts of dam-building, sand mining, poorly managed fisheries, habitat loss, and the introduction of non-native species on the delicate ecosystem of the Mekong River. These threats have led to a rapid decline in fish populations, posing a significant risk to the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the river for their incomes.
Lan Mercado, WWF Asia-Pacific Regional Director, emphasised the urgent need for action to reverse this alarming trend. With communities and countries along the Mekong River facing the looming threat of losing vital fish populations, immediate intervention is essential to safeguard the river’s biodiversity and the livelihoods it supports.
The report, compiled by 25 regional and international groups, sheds light on the dire situation across different parts of the 4,900-kilometre-long river, including Cambodia’s Tonle Sap lake. Here, fish populations have plummeted by a staggering 88 percent between 2003 and 2019, signalling a critical decline in the region’s aquatic biodiversity.
According to the report, 74 fish species have been assessed as “at risk of extinction” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. This stark revelation underscores the pressing need for concerted efforts to protect and preserve the Mekong River’s rich biodiversity before it’s too late.
In the face of these alarming findings, urgent action is required to address the root causes of the threats facing the Mekong River and ensure the sustainability of its ecosystems for generations to come.
