El Pez Graso – The Greasefish (film)

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.

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

May 28th 2024

Fundraising, Save Denise's Friends, Stories

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Dr. Carlos Lasso and the dive team © Carlos Lasso.

Lake Tota © Ictiología y Cultura.

Diving deep in Lake Tota © Carlos Lasso.

Interview with Dr Cüneyt Kaya and Dr Münevver Oral (finding the leopard barbel)

A photograph of a woman in a white t-shirt and black trousers, next to a man in a black t-shirt and green trousers. They are smiling in front of a river on a sunny day.

On the heels of the news that 25% of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction, a team of ichthyologists in Türkiye has rediscovered hope in the shape of a carp-like, spotted fish: the leopard barbel (Luciobarbus subquincunciatus).

The species – one of SHOAL and Re:wild’s Most Wanted – was last scientifically documented in 2011. That is until last November, when Dr Cüneyt Kaya and Dr Münevver Oral’s team found the fish in the Turkish section of the Tigris River.

We got the chance to catch up with Kaya and Oral about the amazing rediscovery – including the dramatic night the fish was found – and their next challenge.

SHOAL: Congratulations on the rediscovery, how do you feel now that the news is out and what has the response been like?

DR MÜNEVVER ORAL (MO): We’re really excited. In fact, the right word would be we are thrilled, because the leopard barbel is the second species that we found from SHOAL and Re:wild’s 10 Most Wanted Lost Fishes list. As far as we are aware, no other country has found any species and Türkiye has a 100% success rate – so in this sense we are super happy and proud.

SHOAL: Going back to the beginning, when did you start looking for the leopard barbel and how did you approach the search?

MO: We started the search operation in late October. We spent more than a week trying to bring everyone together and talking with the local authorities. Where the species distributes is almost at the border of Syria and Türkiye, and the Syrian border is where you need to be careful in terms of security.

There are also a lot of dams built on the Tigris river so we needed to come up with a strategy. The Ilısu Dam was built in 2018 and is the second biggest in Türkiye in terms of water collection capacity. We did extended and comprehensive expeditions across the surrounding cities – including Batman, Hasankeyf, Şırnak, Mardin, Siirt (Botan) – and checked pretty much every single river collection point to the Tigris river.

The leopard barbel is the second species on SHOAL and Re:wild’s Most Wanted Lost Fishes list to be rediscovered, having found the Batman River loach in Southeastern Türkiye in late 2021. The leopard barbel, a difficult second album, required an adjustment in strategy.

MO: The Batman River loach prefers much shallower rivers so it was easier to go into the river and find the species, it was mostly on us, but the leopard barbel prefers deeper water so we needed fishermen with hands-on experience.

It was a lot of work but I’m so glad that it could pay off eventually.

SHOAL: The moment the fish was found sounds very dramatic, what happened?

MO: On the 12 November we finished the third expedition which had taken more than a week in Şırnak, Cizre. Cüneyt went to an IUCN meeting in Antalya (southern Türkiye), and I came back to my faculty where we are based. Then after 3 days, on 15th November at 10.30 pm, we received this facetime call from our fisherman [Mehmet Ülkü].You should have seen our faces. I was like “What’s happening at this hour? Why is he calling me on facetime?” and he was like “I have a surprise!”.

The minute I received the news I started driving in less than 30 minutes. Cüneyt was in Antalya, the southern part of Türkiye.

DR CÜNEYT KAYA (CK): Quite far away.

MO: And if you were driving how long would that take, maybe 16 hours?

CK: No, more than that. It’s really far.

MO: So he got on the first direct flight from Antalya to Van (nearest direct flight) and drove another 6 hours to finally reach Cizre.

CK: When we got there it was almost sunset.

MO: What was thrilling was whilst we were on our way Mehmet called me again and showed me this wonderful looking, much younger smaller one. A second specimen of the leopard barbel.

CK: Amazing.

MO: That can only be described as a miracle, I don’t have any other words.

CK: On the plane I saw these photos and was like “what’s happening?”!

MO: It was quite an unforgettable experience for both of us.

SHOAL: It’s such a dramatic tale! What did it feel like when you finally saw the fish with your own eyes?

MO: Well the second fish, the young one, is quite good looking. The same thing applies to every human being and animal – as we get older we tend to get a little uglier. But the younger fish was amazing, you could see the spots easily.

CK: It was yellow-ish – like a golden-yellow – so very healthy

MO: Yeah, super handsome! One of the established ichthyologists, Dr.Jörg Freyhof saw the photos and was like “Oh my god, that’s one of the best photos ever taken of the leopard barbel”, so we were very happy.

A photograph of a pale beige fish with brown spots underwater. — Leopard barbel © Metin Yoksu

The stunning pictures of the two specimens taken by photojournalist Metin Yoksu showcase the leopard barbel in all its spotted glory. Once done marvelling at how handsome the fish was, Kaya and Oral admit to being surprised by the fish’s quiet nature.

MO: Wild species are normally super fast and they really don’t like seeing people, but this fish – both of them – wouldn’t get scared. I think it’s in their biology that they don’t. Maybe it’s because of their predator behaviour? They tend to hunt as opposed to being hunted. They were super handsome and they were quiet.

SHOAL: Handsome and brooding, that’s so interesting.

Photograph of a leopard spotted fish on a net underwater. — Leopard barbel © Metin Yoksu

SHOAL: Did you feel that with the rediscovery of the Batman River loach a few years ago, you felt quite confident going into the search for the leopard barbel?

CK: Yes.

MO: We were quite confident because we kept receiving anonymous calls from the locals.

CK: In the same genus there are many species, so they’d confuse them – but sometimes the calls were correct.

MO: And it’s not only the leopard barbel on our target list, there are other species. Cüneyt is the field man, he goes at least 10 or 20 times in the year…

CK: …more…

MO: …to this and other parts of Türkiye and we always observe the habitat. We had positive signs to make us think that the leopard barbel was still alive, but we wouldn’t have any proof until the night that we found the species.

SHOAL: What are your hopes for the leopard barbel both on a local level and an international level?

MO: The biggest motivation for us is to make sure that we do everything to protect the leopard barbel. That’s why we say Cizre, but we don’t pinpoint exactly where we found the species to make sure the people won’t go and hunt for it. It’s somewhere along a 40km radius, so good luck with that!

We will be going back to Şırnak to bring all the fishermen together to help them learn what to do and what not to do. There’s some fishing gear which is forbidden which causes a lot of issues for the whole aquatic ecosystem – fish, mammals, crustaceans, everything, these are called ghost fishing. It’s easily solved, during the expedition we gave instructions to local authorities and they took super fast actions. Our fisherman [Mehmet Ülkü] will be the bridge between us, academia, and local fishermen. We are so happy to have him in our team.

Also we will be in touch with the national education department to give some seminars to teachers so they can discuss the issues and understand how to protect our biodiversity for future generations.

Every second day we speak with our fisherman [Mehmet Ülkü], and an engineer from the local fisheries and agriculture department was a graduate from our department, Rıdvan Hüsem, so they’re taking us really seriously. Hopefully we as a large team will be able to carry out as many awareness activities as possible.

From his immense knowledge of the local waterways to catching the specimen itself – not to mention keeping it happy and safe as Kaya and Oral raced across the country! – the two are very emphatic that Ülkü’s contribution was vital to the successful rediscovery.

MO: He’s the star, not us. If he didn’t trust and collaborate with us, we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we achieved. His expertise helped us a lot. He is very excited and he’s already a star in Cizre when we found the species and where he’s from.

Photo of a woman and three men ankle deep in a river with mountains behind. One man is holding a big net. — © Metin Yoksu

SHOAL: On an international level, Türkiye is the only country to have a 100% hit rate for rediscovering the 10 Most Wanted Lost Fishes.

MO: Yeah! Where is the award? I want to meet Leonardo Di Caprio in person! He used to be my crush in high school, so I don’t know maybe a date or a dinner?

SHOAL: Oh definitely! Why do you think it’s so important to rediscover lost species?

MO: In the ecosystem, everything is connected. It can be finding a new species or it can be rediscovering a species, it’s always important.

If you don’t know what you have at a country level or international level, you don’t know what to protect.

SHOAL: And in the communities and organisations you’ve worked with, it must be really exciting and motivating.

MO: Oh my god you know everyone is calling, everyone is clapping. Obviously Leonardo has helped us a lot, and I’m so happy, but this is already important as it is. We know that the biodiversity crisis is increasing with global warming, so we really do need to take care of our biodiversity as much as possible.

SHOAL: So what is next for you both, do you have another ambitious project on the horizon?

MO: That question I ask to SHOAL and Re:wild. Hey guys, do you think you will be challenging us to find another lost species perhaps?

There are already so many species that we are looking forward to finding. There are already so many species that we want to figure out their phylogenetic relationships. We’re up for any challenges! If you want to update the list feel free, we’re so up for new challenges.

A man in sunglasses holding a fish. A woman in sunglasses holding a net. They are both standing in a river. — Dr Münevver Oral and Dr Cüneyt Kaya © Metin Yoksu

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

January 25th 2024

Feature, Lost Fishes, SHOAL

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Lost leopard barbel rediscovered

A photograph of a beige, black spotted fish.

FOUND! Rediscovery of leopard barbel in Türkiye spurs hope in the midst of global freshwater fish decline

Turkish ichthyologists mobilise to protect second species found on SHOAL’s list of Most Wanted Lost Fishes.

Download images→
Leopard barbel rediscovery press release→

On the heels of the news that 25% of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction, a team of ichthyologists in Türkiye (Turkey) has rediscovered hope in the shape of a carp-like, spotted fish — the leopard barbel (Luciobarbus subquincunciatus) — in the Turkish section of the Tigris River. The species, which was last scientifically documented in 2011, is the second species on SHOAL and Re:wild’s Most Wanted Lost Fishes list to be rediscovered. The first, the Batman River loach, was found by the same intrepid team in Southeastern Türkiye in late 2021.

“There is nothing quite like the feeling of finding that a species that has been pushed to the brink of extinction is still hanging on, despite the odds. It is even more thrilling than discovering a new species because it means that we can give a rare species a second chance. With both the Batman River loach and now the leopard barbel, we have an obligation to mobilise conservation efforts to ensure neither becomes lost again”.

Cüneyt Kaya, associate professor at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University and member of the expedition team

A leopard spotted fish underwater. — Leopard barbel © Metin Yoksu

The leopard barbel was once abundant, ranging from Eastern Türkiye, Eastern Syria, Iran and Iraq in the Tigris-Euphrates river system. Over the last three decades, however, fishing, pollution, habitat destruction and dam construction have pushed the species to the edge of extinction. Anecdotal evidence from local fishers suggested that the fish may still be out there, so Kaya and Münevver Oral, an assistant professor at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University enlisted their help, in addition to working with the local fisheries aquaculture department.

The team started by looking at the scientific literature about where the species had been previously found. However, those data were collected before nine dams were built in the Turkish portion of the Tigris River. The dams alter water flow regimes, and cold water that accumulates at the bottom of reservoirs is sometimes released downstream. The release of cold water drives many freshwater fish toward warmer waters, so the team had to adjust its strategy to look further downstream from the dams.

Just days after the second of two expeditions, Kaya and Oral got the video call they had hoped for from local fisherman Mehmet Ülkü: he had caught a 50-centimetre (20-inch), 2-kilogram (4.4-pound) fish with conspicuous black spots and the telltale fleshy filament that dangles from the mouths of this type of freshwater fish.

Ülkü kept the fish alive in a tank with a constant oxygen supply overnight, while Kaya took a direct flight to Van city, then drove nearly six hours to Cizre, where the species was found, while Oral drove more than 11 hours through the night to see — and help release — the fish. By the time they arrived, Ülkü had caught a second leopard barbel safely in his nets.

“We dropped everything and would have gone to the ends of the Earth to see this fish, this legend, alive in the wild. I have never seen a fish as beautiful as this. It was the realisation not only of our dream to find this lost species, but of the hope that not all is lost — we still have a chance to protect the leopard barbel and all of the other incredible freshwater species it shares its home with”.

Münevver Oral, assistant professor at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University and member of the expedition team

After Kaya and Oral took photos and measured the size and shape of the two fish, they were joined by the local Cizre fisheries aquaculture department to safely release the fish, which they described as a joyous event.

“We all have a role to play in protecting our incredible natural heritage and I am proud to have used my skills to help rediscover the leopard barbel. Safeguarding this species into the future is going to require educating other fishers and continuing to bring together scientific knowledge and local expertise.”

Mehmet Ülkü, Fisherman, Tigris River in Türkiye

Four men, a woman and a young boy hold a large white net underwater by a river bank. — © Metin Yoksu

Kaya and Oral are planning to conduct a series of seminars for fishers and teachers to help build pride in their riverways and wildlife, using the rediscovery as a case study to protect the Tigris River and its rich biodiversity. They are also hoping to get a better understanding of how many leopard barbel might still exist and where they are still found across their historic range.

In November 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature released an updated assessment of freshwater fish across the planet, finding that dams and water extraction are putting 45% of all threatened freshwater fish at risk of extinction. Not only have several dams built in the Turkish portion of the Tigris River impacted the leopard barbel, but a new dam is under construction in Cizre, very close to where the two leopard barbels were found.

“Freshwater ecosystems play a tremendous role in maintaining the overall health of our planet. Addressing threats and safeguarding the biodiversity that maintains these ecosystems is critical to solving the climate and biodiversity loss crises, and essential for human wellbeing. We hope the rediscovery of the leopard barbel will serve as an inspiring catalyst for future freshwater biodiversity conservation efforts in this region.”

Dr Harmony Patricio, conservation programme manager, SHOAL and Re:wild

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

January 9th 2024

1000 Fishes, Feature, Lost Fishes, SHOAL

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Fat catfish socio-historial expedition

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Fat catfish socio-historial expedition

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The socio-historical team have completed their expedition to Lake Tota in the mountains northwest of Bogota, Colombia, and have submitted reports that shine some light on the mysterious fat catfish. They explore whether an earthquake could have extirpated the species, whether there could be reference to the fish in the design of pre-Colombian Muiscan jewellery, and even whether the fish wasn’t from Lake Tota at all, but from a different lake more than 100km west of Lake Tota. A handful of villagers local to the lake tell the team stories of how they’ve seen – and, in one case, even eaten – the fish.

No potential leads are left unexplored in Ictiología y Cultura’s thorough research. And, although their work poses more questions than answers, their conclusion is that the fat catfish may well still be alive and swimming, somewhere in those cold highland waters.

Watch the video below to get an insight into Ictiología y Cultura’s work. There’s even a song about the fat catfish – we dare you to watch it without smiling!

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

June 21st 2022

Stories

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First stage of socio-historical team’s Lake Tota expedition

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First stage of the socio-historical team’s Search for the Fat Catfish expedition to Colombia’s Lake Tota

We’re thrilled to announce the first stage of the OASE sponsored Search for Colombia’s Fat catfish is underway!

Yesterday, the socio-historical team met with the Lake Tota Fishermen’s Association to outline their plans for the coming week. The team will be in the field everyday until April 10th, conducting social surveys, speaking with locals, aiming to uncover stories and memories about the mysterious fish.

Stay tuned throughout the week to hear more!

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

April 4th 2022

Stories

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Dr Kaya and Dr Oral return to Batman

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Dr Kaya and Dr Oral return to Batman

They were hoping to conduct research into the Batman River loach’s range and distribution, but fierce winter weather forced a rethink.

By Michael Edmondstone

In late December 2021, Dr Cüneyt Kaya and Dr Münevver Oral returned to the Batman – Diyarbakir region of Southeast Turkey. They were keen to conduct further research into the range and distribution of the Batman River loach, and wanted to get the work wrapped up before winter took hold. They arrived on December 18th to find snows had arrived unseasonally early. To add to the challenge, the streams were turbid and fast-flowing after heavy and relentless rain. They braved the icy waters for two days before accepting that finding the loach in these conditions was going to be practically impossible.

We caught up with them to learn more about the aims of this expedition, and what they ended up doing instead of the originally-planned field work.

What was the aim of the second expedition to the Han and Sarim streams?

The aim of the second expedition in Batman-Diyarbakir was to draw the range of the loach in both streams, and was mostly triggered by the info we received by local NGOs that there was a hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) due to be built in Sarim. Taking the weather conditions into account, we decided to carry out the expedition asap before the water level got higher due to the heavy rain and snow in the area.

What challenges did you face?

The biggest challenge was the extreme weather conditions: snow started as we were driving from Rize to Diyarbakir on the main motorway, and it kept snowing or raining heavily until the last three days in the area, regardless of what the weather forecast indicated previously.

The worst thing about winter expeditions is that the visibility [of the stream] is very low, due to turbidity, and the water level is high, thus the temperature is cold, which stimulates fish to find safe shelter for tough winter conditions. This is what happened in Diyarbakir and Batman last week.

Once again, we came to the conclusion that we were lucky when we first rediscovered the loach in Oct 2021: the water level was very low because of drought, as well as it being the end of summer. This may explain why previous researchers have failed to find the loach in the area.

We went through a few challenges: the car got stuck on a muddy road on the second day. Luckily, locals were very friendly and helpful and came with two tractors and saved us from the mud, as well as inviting us over to their houses for a hot cup of tea (free of charge, welcome to Turkish hospitality!).

Dr Kaya fishing in the icy lower drainage of Sarım Stream. © Münevver Oral

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A local donkey. © Münevver Oral

What activities did you do during the expedition instead of the distribution assessments you were planning to do?

At the beginning of the expedition, we did not consider meeting with the district governors, due to time limitations and the priority of the range assessment. But, due to the extreme weather conditions, we focused on awareness activities throughout the entire trip.

We first started our meetings with the local governors and mayors in Sason (Batman), Kulp (Diyarbakir) and Lice (Diyarbakir) in the mornings. These districts were chosen based on the population density at the upper parts of the Batman Dam (Sason 30k, Lice 25k, Kulp 35k). In each of these meetings, we requested the local director of national education to join us to discuss the benefits of our activities for students and teachers, as well as ensure full collaboration by high school administrators. We carried out several seminars in high schools during the afternoons, and one seminar with a local NGO called SarimDer during the evening. Although being a small community, SarimDER is highly motivated to protect the precious fauna and flora of the entire valley, thus we received high interest by this community.

The seminar took more than 3 hours, with questions and explanations, and by far the most productive discussion of the entire expedition. Particularly, there are two highly motivated people, Emin Turhalli (a true nature lover – he lives almost fully organic) and Ahmet Inan (a lawyer volunteering for an NGO to help prevent the HEPP being established. Both of them are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the Sarim valley.

We met with representatives of TEMA, one of Turkey’s biggest wildlife protection NGOs, during the evenings in both Batman and Diyarbakir. We are still in touch with their representatives on a local scale and will be publishing a leaflet in the area to increase awareness of the loach rediscovery and the threats to the Sarim and Han streams. Once this is out in the surrounding states, TEMA will publish on their social media channels, which should give us a third round of publicity nationally (fingers crossed!).

How were these activities received by the people who came to listen to you speak?

The local director of national education, high school students and teachers were our audience during the seminars, which were between 50-80 people, up to 150 at the maximum.

Students were very curious and keen to learn more about the loach, and seeing their villages via drone received huge attention! We showed them recent photos of plastic pollution in the stream and asked them to guess where it was. Some were from the area and guessed the answer easily. This little game triggered their interest on how these pollutants ended up in stream and some told us they will be more careful of how they treat the water in the future.

Plastic pollution in the upper Han stream. © Münevver Oral

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Plastic pollution in the upper Han stream. © Münevver Oral

Teachers asked for further readings and we sent our presentation to every school. At the end of the seminars, we made a deal with the students to spread the word about the loach and what they learned during the seminar . Given their interest, we hope that they will spread the word about the rediscovery and how to protect the ecosystem.

How do you think your awareness raising has changed people’s attitudes to the Batman River loach, and the local streams?

We framed our discussions based on the threats to the ecosystems in a much broader concept during the seminars, so we anticipate that young people will mostly change their attitudes towards illegal fishing, human-made pollution, HEPPs, and drought for the conservation of the ecosystems in long run.

Most of the young people didn’t know about ghost fishing. Through interactive talks with the students and NGOs, we anticipate that the seminars have changed their attitudes to the stream, the loach, and nature in general, in a much more responsible way.

Students and teachers of the Diyarbakır Lice high school listening during one of Dr Kaya and Dr Oral’s seminars. © Münevver Oral

What are your hopes on a local, national and international level for the Batman River loach?

Our rediscovery, the paper we will be writing, and the national and international news coverage should encourage local governors in Batman and Diyarbakir to protect the nature and ensure the sustainable use of the natural resources.

Unfortunately, there is no solid waste disposal plant in either of the districts that we carried out the expedition. Hazardous waste is currently hidden in locations decided by the local government, and the first step to protect both the soil and the water will be to built a specialist waste disposal plant in the area. HEPPs and dams constitute the major threats to the freshwater fish species, and we hope the construction of more dam and HEPPs in the area will be reassessed from an environmental point of view.

The biggest responsibility lies on the shoulders of the locals to protect their stream, valley and the nature accordingly. Throughout the expedition, we had a chance to visit Sarim valley and we were fascinated by the scenery of the landscape, where mountains were covered with snow and we could taste the best strawberries in our life, indicating the natural richness of the soil.

On the 14^th December 2021, the minister of agriculture and forestry, Dr.Bekir Pakdemirli, announced plans for the protection of endangered species in Turkey. Taking this into consideration, we hope the Sarim and Sason valleys, including the Sarim and Han streams, will not face human-caused habitat degradation. This would ensure the Batman River loach’s continued existence in its very restricted habitat.

Internationally: our limited time in the area has indicated an enormous need for locals to be trained in the sustainable use of natural resources. This includes not only villagers and stakeholders but also local governors and officers. This is a perfect fit for an EU project. Cüneyt and I are keen to use the best available science and resources to protect the loach in its very limited habitat.

Last but not the least, we would like to thank everyone who made us feel home with their hospitality, namely:

Muhammed EVLICE (district governor of Lice, Diyarbakir)

Mustafa GÖZLET (district governor of Kulp, Diyarbakir)

Murat METE (district governor of Sason, Batman)

Naif KELES (local director of national education in Lice, Diyarbakir)

Fatih KAYA (local director of national education in Kulp, Diyarbakir)

Veysi BOZKURT (local director of national education in Sason, Batman)

Prof. Dr. Necmettin PİRİNÇÇİOĞLU (TEMA representative of Diyarbakir)

Mehmet Tahir ALTUĞ (TEMA representative of Batman)

Emin TURHALLI (The president of SarimDer association of cultural and natural heritage, NGO)

Ahmet İNAN (Diyarbakir Bar Association Lawyer)

Local people who saved us from the mud and local/national press

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We caught up with Dr Kaya and Dr Oral after they returned from their December expedition to Batman – Diyarbakir.

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

January 12th 2022

Feature, Lost Fishes

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FOUND! The Batman River loach

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© Rewild

FOUND! The Batman River loach has been rediscovered after nearly 50 years

It is the first of Shoal’s Lost Fishes to be rediscovered.

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A Turkish research team have rediscovered populations of the critically endangered Batman River loach in two streams in southeast Turkey, the first time the tiny fish has been seen since 1974, and the first species rediscovery from Shoal’s Search for the Lost Fishes programme.

“When I first heard about the Search for the Lost Fishes project, I was very happy,” said Cüynet Kaya, associate professor with Recep Tayyip Erdogan University. “Moreover, two of the 10 most wanted fish species were distributed in my country. It is a very different feeling when you see naturalists from foreign countries caring about an endemic species in your country and making efforts to save it. As a freshwater fish taxonomist, I thought that I should do my best for this project, and fortunately our efforts resulted in finding the first lost endemic and critically endangered Batman River loach.”

After learning about the Search for Lost Fishes, Kaya and Münevver Oral, a research fellow with Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, set out to search for the small yellow-and-brown striped fish, which is the smallest loach species in the Middle East, and smaller than any loach species found in Europe. The tiny critter, growing up to 1.4 inches (or 36 millimetres) long, was once distributed around streams and tributaries of the Batman River, which is thought to take its name not from the caped crusader, but from the nearby Bati Raman mountain.

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Dr Cüneyt Kaya and Dr Münevver Oral © Rewild

Expedition teams have searched the river underneath the historic Malabadi bridge and the lower parts of the Batman River, where the fish was first discovered, many times in the decades since the Batman River loach’s last sighting, without success. After analysing possible locations where the Batman River loach could survive, Kaya and Oral instead focused their search on the Sarim Stream, which is upstream of the Batman Dam. The team visited the stream and other headwaters of the Batman River, which are shallow, rocky and fast-flowing, the preferred habitat of the fish, in October and November.

“After finding the specimens, it seems that our lost fish has managed to survive despite the threats in the environment. It is now essential to conduct a detailed field study in the region in order to determine the species’ population density and distribution area. These data will play a key role in the correct determination of the conservation status of the species. We took the first step by finding this lost species – now is the time to act to protect it,” said Kaya.

Watch the film to learn more about the search. © Rewild.

Kaya and Oral searched the streams using tight-weave nets that prevented the Batman River loach from slipping through. They found 14 fish in the Sarim Stream and another nine in the Han Stream.

Kaya and Oral said the population of the loach seems steady, but they are concerned about the effects of pollution, drought, and invasive species, and stressed that further study is needed to get a clearer understanding of the species’ total distribution.

“When we launched the Search for the Lost Fishes, we hoped that we would have the opportunity to celebrate days like this,” said Mike Baltzer, Shoal’s executive director. “There are so many lost and threatened fish and we are so happy that this little loach has been found, and hopefully we can now secure its future. This is the first species of Lost Fishes that has been rediscovered – hopefully the first of many”.

Populations of the Batman River loach nosedived after the construction of the Batman Dam in Turkey between 1986 and 1999, leading some scientists to fear it may have become extinct. Construction of the Batman Dam may have caused populations of the species to fall and, when Kaya and Oral sampled areas downstream of the dam, where the species was recorded in 1974, they were unable to find any individuals. The species’ habitat is now fragmented due to the dam, and the fish can no longer move downstream.

Kaya said: “It is obvious that the establishment of the dam caused shifts in biodiversity due to degradation of the lower part of the habitat needed by the species. I can say this because the species’ preferred habitat is shallow streams, with medium or fast flowing stones or gravel”.

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Kaya believes the other threats facing the species are likely to be pollution, drought, and invasive species. “As far as I know, there is no industrial pollution above the points where we identified the species. We must ensure that it does not happen in the future. However, anthropogenic pollution is intense in the region and local people are not conscious. It would be a good solution to raise awareness in the region with the help of NGOs”.

Jörg Freyhof, Europe’s leading ichthyologist and expert on these fishes, and who is working on the paper with Kaya, said: “We have searched for this fish for many years. It is obviously very rare, as it has not been found in the original locations that it was previously recorded. We even doubted that it existed. Cüneyt made massive efforts to finally confirm its existence. Its finding is a sign of hope, that this species has survived despite everything that has been done to kill the river”.

Shoal would love to see a local education programme to help inform people about how pollution can harm endemic fish species, along with collaboration with local government and businesses to encourage better care for the ecosystem. “It’s important to protect and manage all the remaining individuals and populations,” said Baltzer.

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2561|fusion-800″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211121_113806-800×389.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=””]

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

December 9th 2021

Batman River Loach, Feature, Fish, Lost Fishes

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OASE become Shoal’s first corporate partner

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Announcing Shoal’s first corporate partnership: OASE lead the way

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Shoal is excited to announce OASE as our first significant corporate partner. OASE – one of the world’s premier indoor aquatics suppliers – have shown leadership and a real commitment to freshwater species conservation through partnering with us, and have established a precedent for how corporations can help stem the tide of freshwater extinctions.

Over the coming months, OASE’s support will broadly target Shoal’s work across five continents and in 15 countries. More specifically, it will contribute to the search for Colombia’s fat catfish, one of the Top 10 Most Wanted species in our Search for the Lost Fishes programme. An expedition team will head out to Lake Tota, northeast of Bogota, in December to start the search.

Mike Baltzer, Shoal’s executive director, said: “This is an exciting, watershed moment for freshwater species conservation. OASE is a leader and innovator in the aquarium hobby, and by partnering with Shoal, they have shown their commitment to face the challenge with us to finally tackle the freshwater species crisis so neglected and overlooked until now. We hope they will be first of many and will help create a tsunami of global support across the hobby”.

We caught up with their OASE’s CEO, Thorsten Muck, to learn more about what this partnership means to them.

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Why do you see Shoal as a natural fit for a partnership with OASE?

At OASE in everything we do, we make maximum environmental responsibility and sustainability a priority.

Our products are adapted perfectly to the biology of the water, run especially energy efficiently and are manufactured in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

For example, our aquariums can be individually adapted to the natural habitats of their residents.

That’s why we’re pleased to now be an official partner of Shoal.

We believe in the importance of accelerating and intensifying action to save the most threatened fish and other freshwater species.

What do you hope OASE and SHOAL will achieve together?

Every fish species that doesn’t go extinct and every species rediscovered is a win.

We hope to assist Shoal in the best way possible with species conservation. Not only financially, but especially by drawing attention to this important mission.

OASE is sponsoring Shoal’s first Search for the Lost Fishes expedition, to search for the mysterious fat catfish in Colombia’s Lake Tota. Can you say a little about your hopes for this expedition?

Of course, we hope that the expedition will be successful and that the mysterious catfish will be found.

OASE is very proud to be able to help this exciting work to look for a remarkable fish that hasn’t been seen since the 50’s.

We hope it’s found so that the populations can be boosted and the species can be given a second chance at survival.

But above all, we hope that the expedition and the accompanying communication will bring more attention to species conservation.

OASE are a market leader in indoor aquatics, and, by partnering with SHOAL, have become a pioneer in corporate conservation of the most threatened freshwater species. As the biodiversity crisis becomes more acute globally, how do you picture corporations rising to the challenge of helping with the solutions?

As one of the world’s most successful suppliers in indoor aquatics, we feel it is OASE’s duty to support organisations like Shoal.

Shoal unites many strategic partners who fight together for the protection of species.

We believe that this kind of cooperation has a great chance of success in species conservation and therefore find Shoal particularly worthy of support.

What message do you have to other corporations thinking of getting involved in conservation?

Do it! As a company, we have a duty to make a social and ecological commitment.

Of course, we should be careful not to engage in greenwashing. Sustainability and species protection is too important not to take it seriously.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank OASE for their support, and to commend them in showing conservation leadership across the aquarium hobby sector. We are looking forward to achieving great things together for the future of the planet’s freshwater species.

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

November 15th 2021

Stories

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Lost Fishes Art Challenge winners announcement

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” element_content=”” first=”true” spacing_left=”10.2%”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=””]

The Lost Fishes Art Challenge winners

We are excited to say that our judges Jeremy Wade, Dr Eleanor Adamson, and Ivan Mikolji have announced the winners of the inaugural Lost Fishes Art Challenge.

Judging was incredibly difficult. Not only were the entries such a high standard, the judging criteria was intentionally kept broad, meaning decisions ultimately came down to personal preference. This can be reflected by the fact that there were wildly different rankings between the judges for many of the species.

Each of the following entries were ranked highest overall from the judges’ combined scores, from shortlists of between 10 – 14 for each category.

Below the gallery, take a look at the video of the live panel discussion, where Jeremy, Eleanor and Ivan announced each of the winners, and discussed some of the other entries that caught their attention.

Annamite barb – Chrysteena Garcia

Diyarbakir (Batman River) loach – Aby Helme

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animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.15.19-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Duck-billed buntingi – Chrysteena Garcia[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” 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stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen149=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen150=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.15.30-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Fat catfish – Joanna Bowley[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ 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border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2468|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen143=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen144=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.16.29-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Haditha cavefish – Camilo Julián[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2469|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen145=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen146=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.16.44-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Itasy cichlid – Mitch Smith[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2470|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen139=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen140=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.17.01-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]

Leopard barbel – Jennifer Clausen

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2471|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen141=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen142=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.17.17-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Spinach pipefish – Brianna Jorgenson[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2473|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen135=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen136=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.22.01-600×602.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Syr Darya shovelnose sturgeon – Sam Julian[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2472|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen137=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen138=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Screenshot-2021-11-01-at-11.17.41-600×601.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]Titicaca orestias – Tracy Sachs Kuhlman[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”45px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”45px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2345|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen122=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen123=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Youth-08-600×600.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]YOUTH – Lila Swartz, aged 13[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”0px” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2474|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”10%” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen133=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen134=”” animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fat-catfish-i-Cathartic-Outlet–600×424.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”10%”]

OVERALL – Cathy Outlet

PORTFOLIO – Lee Vincent

[/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJDZ_TSk7fM” alignment=”center” autoplay=”false” api_params=”” title_attribute=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” css_id=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_left=”18%”]

Winners announcement with Jeremy Wade, Dr Eleanor Adamson, and Ivan Mikolji

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

November 1st 2021

Stories

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Shoal launches the Lost Fishes Art Challenge

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” spacing_medium=”” spacing_small=”” padding_dimensions_medium=”” padding_dimensions_small=”” border_sizes=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” margin_right=”10%” margin_left=”10%”]

Sharpen your pencils and ready your paints, the Lost Fishes Art Challenge is here!

In partnership with Conservation Optimism, Shoal are launching an art challenge for each of the 10 Most Wanted species from the Search for the Lost Fishes.

Each of the Top 10 species are currently monochrome. Having been hidden from human eyes for many years, they have lost their sparkle, their colours have faded to black, white and grey, their appearance has become unclear as a turbid river. As we lost these species, they too have lost their colours.

We need you, talented artist, to bring the rainbow back to these fishes, to magic them back to dazzling life and give them the chance to be seen in all their scaly splendour for everyone to admire.

There are exciting prizes up for grabs, including the chance to have your work exhibited at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Deadline 30th September, 2021.

Head over to the campaign page to learn more.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

July 14th 2021

Stories

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