The SHOAL is the global ecosystem of partners and collaborators who work together to safeguard the health of Earth's freshwater habitats and conserve the most threatened freshwater species. As with a shoal of fish, the strength of the SHOAL lies with the number of partners all working together.
Blueprint for Conservation Action for 1,000 Freshwater Fishes
SHOAL's flagship initiative sets out a plan for how significant collaborative conservation effort can lift freshwater fishes and potentially thousands of other neglected freshwater species to a new elevated platform of conservation attention and greatly enhance freshwater conservation efforts globally.
Catch up on SHOAL’s webinars to discuss April’s release of the 1,000 Fishes Blueprint.
Hear from Brian Zimmerman, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, Topiltzin Contreras-Macbeath, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, Rajeev Raghavan, Assistant Professor at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and Mike Baltzer, SHOAL’s Executive Director as they discuss the Blueprint and some of the outstanding work already being done to mobilise conservation action for some of the Priority Fishes highlighted.
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Michael Edmondstone
June 13th 2024
1000 Fishes, Stories
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Tiny Fishes: the miniature marvels that slip through the net
Our partners have produced a new film about the Search for the Fat Catfish.
Dive into Lake Tota on the Search for the Fat Catfish
Colombia’s fat catfish is one of freshwater’s great mysteries. Not seen since 1957, there are more layers of intrigue surrounding this creature than it has rings of fatty tissue – i.e. a LOT!
Firstly, nobody knows why it has that strange physiology: why is it fat? Could it be from overeating? Or a way to stay warm in the cold mountain waters of Colombia’s Páramo? It could be something else entirely, but with only 10 preserved specimens in the world, and no live sightings of the species for more than 70 years, it is incredibly challenging to know.
And what happened to the species? It was allegedly once so common that people living near Lake Tota used the grease from the fish to light their homes. Yet the species seems to have disappeared without trace. Nobody knows why. Through SHOAL’s Search for the Fat Catfish with partners from Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos at Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad De Los Andes, and Re:wild, we attempt to find answers to some of these questions. Using eDNA metabarcoding and more traditional search techniques, our partners are working to put pieces of the puzzle together and give us some clues about the fat catfish.
SHOAL is currently recruiting for a US Programme Lead. The candidate will be based within the US and Canada; with other locations within Central and South America reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The position will hosted by Re:wild as Freshwater Fish Conservation Coordinator.
Lead,and develop SHOAL in North America
Working with Re:wild’s regional leads and in coordination with SHOAL, identify, support, and mentor local partners to establish and run high impact conservation projects for freshwater fish following the priorities set out in the SHOAL blueprint for freshwater fish conservation and within Re:wild’s priority regions.
In close collaboration with the SHOAL and Re:wild development team and leadership, cultivate donors and secure funding for SHOAL and Re:wild projects on freshwater fish conservation.
Mentor and train project partners and help them connect with additional partners and expertise as required.
Represent SHOAL and Re:wild in all conversations around freshwater conservation both internally and externally.
Work closely with the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group and the IUCN SSC Global Center to ensure close coordination on freshwater fish conservation efforts.
Manage grants and contracts with local partners around the world.
Establish, develop, and manage freshwater fish conservation small grant schemes.
Support the Search for Lost Fishes programme with data management, expedition planning, fieldwork methods, partner management, and communications.
Liaise with the SHOAL and Re:wild communications team to promote the projects of our partners and our engagement in freshwater fish conservation.
Develop, manage and drive the growth of SHOAL in North America.
Fundraise for SHOAL priority initiatives in collaboration with the SHOAL and Re:wild teams to further the SHOAL strategy and blueprint for freshwater fish conservation.
Identify, engage with, and secure scientific, conservation, and public and private sector partners for SHOAL.
Manage and grow the SHOAL Alliance of Zoos and Aquaria.
Contribute to the development of SHOAL reports and strategies.
Support the creation and dissemination of SHOAL communications.
Represent SHOAL in international and national dialogues on freshwater fish conservation.
Competencies/Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
7+ years of experience in conservation programmes.
Proven experience in developing programmatic approaches to species conservation.
Relevant field experience and proven ability to work in varied cultural and political situations.
Demonstrated fundraising ability.
Proven experience in training and mentoring local partners in multiple countries.
Deep connections with zoos and aquaria preferred.
Ability and interest to travel to remote field sites.
Strong communications and storytelling skills, including writing, correspondence, and public speaking.
Ability to work independently but also as part of a team.
Ability to speak other languages, especially Spanish, preferred.
Commitment to and passion for SHOAL and Re:wild’s mission, vision, and values.
Compensation and benefits:
This is a full-time, exempt, position.
Position location is flexible within the US and Canada; with other locations within Central and South America will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Projected salary range of USD 75-90,000 with the final determination to be made commensurate with the candidate’s experience.
Medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance, with Re:wild covering 80% or more of the premiums. Re:wild also offers a 403b retirement plan with up to 3% match after a year of employment.
16 paid holidays each calendar year. Full-time employees can also accrue the following annually: up to 15 days of vacation leave, 12 days of illness leave and 2 volunteer days.
Qualified candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé (as one document) to careers@rewild.org no later than 4 June, 2024. Please include “Freshwater Fish Conservation Coordinator” in the subject line.
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Michael Edmondstone
May 14th 2024
Stories
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Tiny Fishes: the miniature marvels that slip through the net
Freshwater film made it all the way to the BAFTAs this year – here’s more freshwater films you can check out today.
Freshwater made it to thes earlier this year, thanks to an acclaimed film by Karni Arieli and Saul Freed.
Wild Summon(nominated for Best Animated Short) combines animation with live-action underwater photography to tell the dramatic life cycle of the wild salmon in human form – her fight for survival as she migrates from a freshwater river to the open ocean – and then all the way back to her birthplace to spawn her young.
Narrated by Marianne Faithfull, the filmmakers describe Wild Summon as a “natural history fantasy”.
“If you watch the film without the sound, it might look like some sort of science-fiction film about creatures that live underwater. If you do the opposite – if you just listen to the voiceover – then it’s a straight natural history documentary”, Freed says. The arresting film has won multiple awards since it premiered at the Cannes film festival last year, as well as being nominated for a Palme d’Or, shortlisted for an Academy Award, and up for a BAFTA.
If Wild Summon has got you falling down the freshwater film rabbit hole too, here’s more you can check out today!
Artifishal: The Fight To Save Wild Salmon (2019), Blue Heart: The Fight For Europe’s Last Wild Rivers (2018), DamNation: The Problem With Hydropower (2014)
We’ve cheated a bit here because number 1 on our list is actually three films. Patagonia have made three films about freshwater issues, with the goal to spark dialogue and encourage change.
Artifishal: The Fight To Save Wild Salmon (2019) is a film about people, the fight for the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them. The film explores wild salmon’s slide toward extinction, threats posed by fish hatcheries and fish farms, and our continued loss of faith in nature.
Blue Heart: The Fight for Europe’s Last Wild Rivers (2018) is a shocking look at the tsunami of dam development in the Balkan Peninsula, as the construction of 3,000 proposed hydropower developments threaten to destroy the last wild rivers in Europe.
The majestic cinematography of DamNation: The Problem with Hydropower (2014) highlights the destructive effect of obsolete dams on healthy river ecosystems and habitats, as well as rivers splashing back to life when the infrastructure is removed.
The Ghosts of Table Mountain (2022) is an intimate look at the Table Mountain Ghost Frog by Freshwater Films.
The short documentary reveals the secret lives of the critically endangered frog – one of SHOAL’s Fantastic Freshwater species – as well as other freshwater creatures who depend on South Africa’s ancient, rocky beacon of biodiversity Table Mountain, including caddis-flies and Cape galaxias.
A story of conservation, collaboration and hope – the filmmakers aim to introduce viewers to the rare and beautiful amphibian, as well as the threats that are impacting the rivers and streams it calls home.
The great lakes are Earth’s largest freshwater system, holding around 20% of the planet’s surface freshwater and home to more than 35,000 species of flora and fauna.
This feature length documentary by Julia Robson and Alyssa Armbruster follows the co-creators of Walk to Sustain Our Great Lakes as they embark on a 343 mile walk from the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI, all the way to Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Filmmakers Ferenc Kriska and György Kriska put the spotlight on some of the most important, but overlooked, species in the freshwater ecosystem in this short documentary.
If you only have half an hour to spare, spend it diving into the secret worlds of a range of invertebrate fauna of the wetland – including pond skaters, mayflies and water spiders.
SHOAL has launched an ambitious new initiative to mobilise conservation action for 1,000 of Earth’s most threatened freshwater fish species by 2035.
Conservation action for 1,000 freshwater fishes by 2035? There’s a reason for conservation optimism. Keep scrolling to learn more about one of our most ambitious campaigns to date.
In April we launched the SHOAL Blueprint for Accelerated Conservation Action for 1,000 Freshwater Fishes by 2035, an exciting and ambitious new initiative that will place at least 1,000 threatened freshwater fishes on the path to recovery by 2035.
It’s not just a plan for 1,000 fishes. It’s a plan for hundreds of critical freshwater habitats, vital to thousands of other species and communities – very often the poorest on the planet – that rely on these fish and the freshwater habitats for their everyday lives.
The Blueprint was pulled together with the expert support and guidance from SHOAL partners the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group (FFSG) and IUCN Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team (BAKT).
Freshwater fishes have been largely neglected in conservation planning and yet the ecosystems they inhabit are vital to the survival of the planet. The incredible diversity of freshwater fishes in only 1% of the Earth’s surface area represents more than half of fish diversity overall. The Blueprint is therefore an extremely welcome and important call to action to halt the loss of so many species under the threat of extinction.
Brian Zimmerman, Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group
The blueprint was launched in April at an event kindly hosted by the Fishmongers’ Company at Fishmongers’ Hall in London, where SHOAL‘s executive director Mike Baltzer presented how the crucial initiative will mobilise collaborative conservation efforts for global conservation impact.
The Blueprint is a fundamental framework to Phase Two of SHOAL‘s strategy, and will define the organisation’s work for the coming decade. It is wildly ambitious – perhaps the single most ambitious conservation framework in terms of species numbers ever written*!
*We’d welcome people pointing us in the direction of a more ambitious framework!
Freshwater fishes are slipping through the net of conservation and are silently sinking towards extinction. The Blueprint identifies which species need urgent attention and how to cost effectively and collaboratively implement conservation action at scale to ensure at least 1,000 species are under suitable conservation action within a decade. This is the scale of action required to save freshwater fishes and the time to act is now.
Barney Long, Senior Director of Conservation Strategies, Re:wild
This Blueprint is the level of ambition that is desperately needed to make up for the damage caused by decades of neglect in the world’s freshwaters, and to ensure they are conserved and protected long into the future. With funding and support from those able to offer it, it is very much achievable.
Hear what our partners say about working with SHOAL, and why the Blueprint is so critical 👇
The Blueprint shows the level of ambition and determination we need to turn back the tide on the freshwater biodiversity crisis, and halt extinctions and recover populations of the world’s most threatened freshwater fish. It is collaborative to its core and puts local communities at the forefront of impactful conservation action. It is urgent that we now push on and mobilise the conservation actions outlined by The Blueprint – our planet’s freshwaters depend on them.
Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL
For freshwaters, the time for action is now.
Together – as a strong and determined shoal – we’ll show that collaborative conservation can change the trajectory for freshwater fishes and save the world’s freshwater ecosystems.
SHOAL and IUCN SSC ASAP are currently recruiting for a SHOAL / IUCN SSC ASAP Southeast Asia Programme Coordinator.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Act as the focal point for SHOAL in Southeast Asia.
Lead partnership building in Southeast Asia.
Provide technical support.
Lead fundraising and reporting in the region.
Undertake Management and Administration.
Communications and reporting.
Requirements:
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a nature conservation related topic.
Minimum of five years of experience in a managerial level nature conservation role.
Experience of advising and managing nature conservation projects, preferably related to freshwater
ecosystems and species. Fish conservation skills and experience is highly desired.
Sound understanding of community-based conservation.
Fluent in written and spoken English and preferably in at least one Southeast Asian language.
Able to live and work in at least one Southeast Asian country.
Proven ability to fundraise and build strong partnerships.
Able to work independently with remote supervision.
A fish that can leap out of water to escape predators, an air-breathing catfish, and some blood-sucking vampires highlighted in New Species 2022. In March we released our second annual New Species report, detailing the 201 freshwater fish species described in 2022.
“SHOAL’s New Species reports shine a much-needed light on a group of creatures that get very little attention.”
Mike Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL
Contributions from researchers and taxonomists who work hard to discover and describe new species make the landmark report possible. We’re now looking forward to New Species 2023, and we want to hear from you again! If you have come across a species this year you think should be included, get in touch.
In the Spring, SHOAL Executive Director Mike Baltzer travelled to Southeast Asia to meet conservation partners and visit some of the world’s most exciting freshwater ecosystems first hand.
“The trip gave me an invaluable opportunity to connect with local experts, plan future collaborations and see some of the world’s most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems first-hand.”
In July we released The Strategic Framework to Accelerate Urgent Conservation Action for ASAP Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia, alongside our partners the IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) and Mandai Nature. Years in the making, this major new report sets the course for urgent conservation of 90 freshwater fishes on the brink of extinction across 11 countries in the region.
To celebrate the launch key voices in freshwater conservation from SHOAL, PROGRES and the National University of Singapore came together for our “Securing a Future for Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia” webinar. Catch up here→
Alongside the report, the SHOAL-ASAP Freshwater Fish Conservation Grant was launched to support work to conserve Critically Endangered freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia. The grant directed funding to four brilliant projects across Indonesia and the Philippines.
Paratherina labiosa Hasanuddin University – Biology Department (Indonesia)
Poropontius tawarensis PGKB – Research Centre for Elephant and Forest Biodiversity Conservation (Indonesia)
Betta burdigala Airlangga University, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Studies (Indonesia)
Barbodes manguaoensis and Bostrychus expatria Community Centred Conservation (Philippines)
“Southeast Asia is the world’s hotspot for highly threatened species. This framework provides the direction and clarity required to focus and catalyse action to bring the most threatened freshwater fishes back from the brink of extinction.”
The Pathala eel loach, star of SHOAL‘s New Species 2022 report, has shot to fame after Hollywood legend Leonardo DiCaprio celebrated its discovery on his Instagram.
Mr Abraham discovered the species by complete accident when it plopped out of the shower head and has demonstrated the amazing impact of a local campaign to engage community members in citizen science. His wife Suja says: “Now we’re always on the lookout for these creatures in our wells, tanks and tap water, after the researchers told us about them.”
In September we published our Phase One report, celebrating the highlights of our four year journey so far and outlining plans for the next 10. In four years SHOAL has launched programmes across 5 continents, helped develop 2 new NGOs, engaged 50+ brilliant strategic and local action partners, and much more.
By 2032, we aim to support 300 local organisations to protect, restore and rewild more than 300 habitats and halt the extinction of 1,000 of the Earth’s most threatened freshwater fish species.
“We are proud that we are recognised globally in conservation circles as an important actor in freshwater species conservation, that we have established programmes across five continents, and that we have built powerful partnerships with leading organisations who have been and will continue to be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals of protecting and restoring freshwater habitats and conserving the most threatened freshwater species globally.”
In October we released The Action Plan for the Conservation of Mexico’s Goodeid Fishes, an urgent new initiative with an ambitious multinational conservation programme – the first time this has ever been done.
The action plan was released in collaboration with Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo‘s AquaLab, Chester Zoo, the Goodeid Working Group, the IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, and Guardianes del río Teuchitlán.
The launch was marked by the “Plan G: Conserving Mexico’s threatened goodeids” webinar, now available to watch online.Catch up here→
In December we announced our partnership with a selection of UK aquarium stores, where our brand new range of collectible enamel pins will be available – with donations going towards our SOS: Support Our Shoal campaign.
Designed to bridge the gap between the home aquarium community and impactful conservation of the world’s most threatened freshwater fish, SOS: Support Our Shoal provides a reliable channel for aquarists to direct vital funds to the freshwater species and ecosystems that need them most.
“SOS: Support Our Shoal is a rallying cry to those who care about what is happening to freshwater species and want to be part of the solution. SHOAL provides a reliable platform for the aquarium world to fund conservation projects that really work. This is a landmark time for the aquarium community, and collaborating with us is a demonstration that it is beginning to take conservation seriously.”
Mike Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL
You can find the pins at any of our brilliant partner aquarium stores across the UK:
If you want to support the work SHOAL are doing to conserve freshwater species through action-driven conservation donate here. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter The Stream to get all the latest freshwater news straight to your inbox.
Post Overview
Michael Edmondstone
December 21st 2023
SHOAL, Stories
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Tiny Fishes: the miniature marvels that slip through the net
How often does the world’s laziest turtle breathe?
It’s o-fish-al! The world’s largest freshwater fish has made its debut in the 2024 Guinness World Records!
To celebrate we’re looking at five more freshwater achievements, from a stingray bigger than a ping pong table to a turtle so lazy it’s broken a world record.
1. Largest Freshwater Fish
Finally making a hot debut in the 2024 Guinness World Records!
It was last year that fishermen in Cambodia made the historic catch of a giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) that weighed approximately 300kg (661lb) and measured 3.98m (13ft) long.
Named Boramy – “full moon” in the Kymer language – the super-sized stingray has reignited excitement for the mysteries of the Mekong and the river’s extraordinary wildlife.
2. Oldest Freshwater Fish
112 years old? Girl, you don’t look a day over 26.
The bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is the oldest age-authenticated freshwater fish, with the oldest of them all – a female collected near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota in 2019 – found to be 112 years old.
The age cap of the species had previously been assumed to be 26 years, so researchers were stunned when a sample of 386 bigmouth buffalo across 12 different populations revealed that up to 90% of a population was aged 80 years-plus.
3. Laziest Freshwater Turtle
I love her lack of energy, go girl give us nothing!
Cambodia’s giant soft-shelled turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) is another native of the Mekong river. The species was awarded this high honour in recognition of the fact it spends 95% of its life totally motionless in sand on the river bottom waiting for prey to approach.
Twice each day, it comes to the water surface to breathe air. Sounds great, honestly.
4. Longest Freshwater Fish Migration
Over 7,000 miles? You’ll be feeling that in the morning.
The South American dorado catfish (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) travels 11,600km (7,200 miles) up and down the Amazon River.
This marathon migration takes the species from the headwaters of the Andes in Peru – where they spawn – all the way to Brazilian Amazon estuary – where they live a couple of years eating fish and crustaceans – and back.
5. Largest Freshwater Fish (again)
Sharing is caring.
The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) shares the record for largest freshwater fish species with the giant freshwater stingray. Also native to the Mekong river, the largest specimen caught tipped the scales at 293kg (646lb) and measured 2.7m (8ft11in) from head to tail.
The species held the record by itself since 2005, and is now in a race for largest that’s too close to call.
Post Overview
Michael Edmondstone
November 23rd 2023
Freshwater News, Stories
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Tiny Fishes: the miniature marvels that slip through the net
Action Plan for the Conservation of Mexico’s Goodeid Fishes Published Today
The Action Plan outlines the necessary steps for an integrated, ambitious multinational conservation programme for Mexican goodeids – the first time this has ever been done.
On 31 October, SHOAL and partners from the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo’s AquaLab, Goodeid Working Group, Chester Zoo, and the Freshwater Conservation Committee launched the Action Plan for the Integrated Conservation of Mexican Goodeid Fishes.
Mexican goodeids are one of Earth’s most threatened groups of fishes, with 90% of the 40 known species threatened with extinction, and one already extinct. This Action Plan provides a framework to save these species for the first time, relying on robust partnerships of passionate and knowledgeable individuals and organisations.
The launch builds on previous conservation work by AquaLab, the Goodeid Working Group, and Chester Zoo to breed and reintroduce species such as the Extinct in the Wild Tequila splitfin and golden skiffia. Early signs show populations of both species are increasing.
Testimonials:
“The Goodeid Working Group was founded in 2009 out of concern for the dramatic population declines of Mexican goodeid species and the large-scale loss of their habitats. Today, the group is part of a dedicated network working together with utmost effort to conserve goodeids, offering a real chance to save this amazing group for future generations.”
Michael Köck – Cofounder and Chair, Goodeid Working Group
“I’m delighted to see such a passionate group from diverse backgrounds come together to create a plan that can make a real difference for this highly threatened group of fishes. I hope this plan will not only save these species but also set an example for freshwater conservation worldwide.”
Paul Bamford – Regional Field Programme Manager – Latin America, Chester Zoo
“With 21 extinctions already recorded, Mexico is the country with the most lost species. This Action Plan aims to conserve the iconic Goodeidae species and their habitats through strategic efforts.”
Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath – Head of Conservation Biology Research, University of Morelos, and Co-Chair, Freshwater Conservation Committee, IUCN Species Survival Commission
Next Steps:
The next steps are to raise vital funds to start the conservation work that will boost the survival chances of Mexican goodeids.
SHOAL’s Phase One report highlights many of our achievements from the past four years and outlines our strategy and aims for the coming decade.
SHOAL’s Phase One report showcases some of SHOAL’s main achievements since the initiative’s conception in 2019. Inside, you can learn about the suite of programmes across five continents that we have launched, the development of two new NGOs we’ve been instrumental in helping with, the SOS: Support Our Shoal campaign we’ve rolled out to provide a reliable and trustworthy mechanism for the aquarium hobby to engage in conservation, and much, much more.
The report draws attention to our brilliant Local Action Partners and Strategic Partners, and shines a light on the stories surrounding the search for the fat catfish and the reintroduction to the wild of the golden skiffia.
“We are proud that we are recognised globally in conservation circles as an important actor in freshwater species conservation, that we have established programmes across five continents, and that we have built powerful partnerships with leading organisations who have been and will continue to be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals of protecting and restoring freshwater habitats and conserving the most threatened freshwater species globally”.
Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL
There is, of course, much work to be done. This first phase is just the start of a strategy of work leading up to 2032, all efforts of which will support the achievement of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s New Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030, the UN Decade of Restoration, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals targets
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