SHOAL Wrapped 2022
© Ken Maeda
New Species Report
In March we released the New Species Report 2021, which outlines 212 freshwater fish species described in 2021. Researchers and taxonomists from around the world contributed to the report, describing the species – striped and spotted, soft and spiky, bold and timid – in all their magnificent diversity.
The first of an annual series, New Species Report 2022 is already in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for the release in early 2023!
Hunt for the fat catfish
April saw the hunt for the elusive fat catfish begin. Ictiología y Cultura lead the socio-historical side of the search for one of the most compelling, and weird looking, of our 10 Most Wanted Lost Fishes.
The fieldwork uncovered some interesting new leads, including a fisherman who claimed he caught – and ate – the fatty fish a few years ago!
The search continues in 2023! As you read this, SHOAL’s partners are preparing to brave the cold climes of Lake Tota in the next few weeks for a scientific expedition in the region.
© Thomas Von Rintelen
Fantastic Freshwater
In May, The Fantastic Freshwater report was released by some of the world’s leading conservationists. This landmark report highlights the diversity and beauty of freshwater species and the immense threats they face to their survival.
The report highlights 50 threatened species from the ten major taxonomic groups, along with the threats they face and the conservation action they currently receive, and brought together the expertise of more 70 scientists across 21 IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups and Red List Authorities, laying the foundations for increased collaboration in the future.
*The Fantastic Freshwater: 50 landmark species for conservation report is led by SHOAL, the IUCN SSC, the IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, and the Global Center for Species Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo.
The FIN
A three-day workshop in August saw the creation of the Freshwater Inspire Network, or FIN for short. This new initiative was developed at the INSPIRE meeting in Bristol, funded by WWF and Synchronicity Earth, with partners at Bristol Zoo.
“The workshop held at Bristol Zoo in May, funded by Synchronicity Earth and WWF, led to the creation of the Freshwater Inspire Network (the FIN), which will greatly simplify the collaboration between conservationists, creatives, campaigners, communicators and other collaborators which is so desperately needed to elevate and amplify communications about freshwater habitats and species.”
The FIN has been created to help people who are passionate about freshwater conservation to connect and collaborate. From filmmakers to campaigners, conservationists to students, and more – the goal of the FIN is to help us make as much noise about freshwater as we can!
© Wildlife Reserves Singapore
ASAP Action Plan
The ASAP action plan is a collaboration between SHOAL, Mandai Nature and the IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) to draw up an action plan to save the most threatened freshwater fishes in Asia.
Our new partner Progres
In July, we announced our newest partner: Progres, a conservation NGO co-founded by two Sulawesi women, Sheherazade and Asnim Alyoihana Lanusi.
The organisation is based near Lake Poso, where they work closely with local fishermen in an attempt to find three ‘lost fishes’, including the duck-billed buntingi from our 10 Most Wanted Lost Fishes.
London Marathon
October saw SHOAL break the record for fastest marathon ever run by a killifish (we assume). Our Communications and Engagement Lead Michael Edmondstone ran the London Marathon dressed as the Attenborough‘s killifish in support of Synchronicity Earth’s Keep Them In The Running campaign.
The £1,600 raised will be put directly to a killifish conservation project in Africa’s Rift Valley Lakes, which will help bring more species back from the brink.
© Parosphromenus Project
Expedition to Southeast Asia
In October, SHOAL Executive Director Mike Baltzer and Synchronicity Earth programme officer Félix Feider travelled to Southeast Asia to meet partners and plan future conservation work.
A highlight was a boat trip through the peat swamp forests of Pahang with partners the Global Environment Centre.
“It was wonderful to meet the partners and the local communities working at the frontline to save some of Southeast Asia’s most important freshwater fishes and their habitats. Each of the projects exemplifies what can be achieved by locally-led direct conservation action and SHOAL is proud to be part of it.”
Save Denise’s Friends
At the end of 2021 we launched our Save Denise’s Friends campaign, in partnership with OATA and Practical Fishkeeping magazine. The Denison’s barb is one of the world’s most popular home aquarium fish, but in a few short years could become Extinct in the Wild.
In October we released three short films with our partners Zoo Outreach, a species conservation NGO based in India. The first is about the Endangered barb in the wild, the second focuses on the barb in the aquarium trade, and the third explores what the future could look like for the species.
© Manfred Meiners
Trip to Mexico
On November 4th 2022 a team from the University of Michoacan, Mexico, reintroduced over 1,000 golden skiffia into the Rio Teuchitlán. The team was led by Omar Domínguez-Domínguez, and the Goodeid Working Group, with vital support from Chester Zoo.
A couple of weeks earlier the SHOAL team packed their bags for Mexico to participate in a four-day workshop to establish an action plan for conserving the highly threatened Mexican goodeids group of fishes.
Extinct in the Wild for 28 years, this was a (fresh)watershed moment so huge it even captured the attention of Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio.
“The four day workshop to plan the conservation of Mexican goodeids was intensive and productive, with an ambitious and effective plan of action established, and a strong team created. We are now in an excellent position to drive forward the conservation of more than 40 endemic and highly threatened species by 2030. All the team needs now is the funding.”
COP15
In December a film made by SHOAL, along with our partners Synchronicity Earth and The Nature Conservancy, premiered at the Nature Positive Pavilion at COP15.
Indigenous peoples around the world have called on policymakers to take the steps needed to save our freshwater ecosystems: “Protect inland waters!”
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.
