Kathmandu, March 31 - A new global assessment has raised serious concerns over the alarming decline of migratory freshwater fish, warning that urgent and coordinated action is needed to restore river ecosystems and prevent further biodiversity loss.
The report, released under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), highlights that migratory freshwater fish populations have plummeted by approximately 81 percent since 1970, marking one of the steepest declines among global wildlife groups.
According to the assessment, these species are facing increasing threats throughout their migration routes due to dam construction, altered river flows, habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
Critical Role of Migratory Fish
Migratory freshwater fish play a vital ecological, economic, and cultural role worldwide. They help maintain river health, support large inland fisheries, and provide food and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people.
However, their survival depends heavily on free-flowing and connected rivers, which allow them to move between spawning, feeding, and breeding habitats-often across national borders. When these natural pathways are disrupted, fish populations decline rapidly.
Hundreds of Species at Risk
The report identifies at least 325 migratory freshwater fish species requiring urgent international conservation attention. Alarmingly, nearly 97 percent of CMS-listed migratory fish species are already threatened with extinction, underlining the severity of the crisis.
Dam Removal Europe
Experts emphasize that freshwater ecosystems-despite covering only a small portion of the Earth-are among the most threatened environments, often overlooked in global conservation efforts.
Call for Urgent Global Action
The CMS report calls for immediate restoration of rivers and habitats, stressing that delaying action could lead to irreversible losses. Key recommendations include:
Restoring river connectivity by removing or modifying barriers
Ensuring sustainable water flow management
Reducing pollution and habitat destruction
Promoting sustainable fishing practices
Strengthening cross-border cooperation among countries
The report also highlights that successful conservation efforts-such as dam removals and river restoration projects in some regions-demonstrate that recovery is possible when timely action is taken.
A Hidden Environmental Crisis
Despite their importance, migratory freshwater fish remain largely “invisible” in global environmental discourse, as their decline occurs beneath the water surface. Scientists warn that failing to act now could not only lead to species extinction but also disrupt entire river ecosystems and threaten food security for millions.
As the world faces intensifying environmental challenges, the report sends a clear message: restoring rivers and protecting migratory freshwater fish can no longer wait.
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