New Blueprint for Conservation Action for 1,000 fishes by 2035

Photograph of shoal of fish underwater with water line bisecting the shot.

SHOAL has launched an ambitious new initiative to mobilise conservation action for 1,000 of Earth’s most threatened freshwater fish species by 2035.

Conservation action for 1,000 freshwater fishes by 2035? There’s a reason for conservation optimism. Keep scrolling to learn more about one of our most ambitious campaigns to date.

In April we launched the SHOAL Blueprint for Accelerated Conservation Action for 1,000 Freshwater Fishes by 2035, an exciting and ambitious new initiative that will place at least 1,000 threatened freshwater fishes on the path to recovery by 2035.

It’s not just a plan for 1,000 fishes. It’s a plan for hundreds of critical freshwater habitats, vital to thousands of other species and communities – very often the poorest on the planet – that rely on these fish and the freshwater habitats for their everyday lives.

The Blueprint was pulled together with the expert support and guidance from SHOAL partners the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group (FFSG) and IUCN Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team (BAKT).

Freshwater fishes have been largely neglected in conservation planning and yet the ecosystems they inhabit are vital to the survival of the planet. The incredible diversity of freshwater fishes in only 1% of the Earth’s surface area represents more than half of fish diversity overall. The Blueprint is therefore an extremely welcome and important call to action to halt the loss of so many species under the threat of extinction.

Brian Zimmerman, Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group

The blueprint was launched in April at an event kindly hosted by the Fishmongers’ Company at Fishmongers’ Hall in London, where SHOAL‘s executive director Mike Baltzer presented how the crucial initiative will mobilise collaborative conservation efforts for global conservation impact.

Michael Baltzer on stage talking next to a screen in a nice looking room.

A table with lots of blue flyers for the SHOAL blueprint on.

A nice room with a big chandelier in the middle that looks like a massive shoal of fish swimming in a circle.

The Blueprint is a fundamental framework to Phase Two of SHOAL‘s strategy, and will define the organisation’s work for the coming decade. It is wildly ambitious – perhaps the single most ambitious conservation framework in terms of species numbers ever written*!

*We’d welcome people pointing us in the direction of a more ambitious framework!

Freshwater fishes are slipping through the net of conservation and are silently sinking towards extinction. The Blueprint identifies which species need urgent attention and how to cost effectively and collaboratively implement conservation action at scale to ensure at least 1,000 species are under suitable conservation action within a decade. This is the scale of action required to save freshwater fishes and the time to act is now.

Barney Long, Senior Director of Conservation Strategies, Re:wild

This Blueprint is the level of ambition that is desperately needed to make up for the damage caused by decades of neglect in the world’s freshwaters, and to ensure they are conserved and protected long into the future. With funding and support from those able to offer it, it is very much achievable.

Hear what our partners say about working with SHOAL, and why the Blueprint is so critical 👇

The Blueprint shows the level of ambition and determination we need to turn back the tide on the freshwater biodiversity crisis, and halt extinctions and recover populations of the world’s most threatened freshwater fish. It is collaborative to its core and puts local communities at the forefront of impactful conservation action. It is urgent that we now push on and mobilise the conservation actions outlined by The Blueprint – our planet’s freshwaters depend on them.

Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL

For freshwaters, the time for action is now.

Together – as a strong and determined shoal – we’ll show that collaborative conservation can change the trajectory for freshwater fishes and save the world’s freshwater ecosystems.

Read the blueprint here 👇

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

May 2nd 2024

1000 Fishes, Freshwater News, SHOAL, Stories

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SHOAL Phase One report released

SHOAL’s Phase One report highlights many of our achievements from the past four years and outlines our strategy and aims for the coming decade.

SHOAL’s Phase One report showcases some of SHOAL’s main achievements since the initiative’s conception in 2019. Inside, you can learn about the suite of programmes across five continents that we have launched, the development of two new NGOs we’ve been instrumental in helping with, the SOS: Support Our Shoal campaign we’ve rolled out to provide a reliable and trustworthy mechanism for the aquarium hobby to engage in conservation, and much, much more.

The report draws attention to our brilliant Local Action Partners and Strategic Partners, and shines a light on the stories surrounding the search for the fat catfish and the reintroduction to the wild of the golden skiffia.

“We are proud that we are recognised globally in conservation circles as an important actor in freshwater species conservation, that we have established programmes across five continents, and that we have built powerful partnerships with leading organisations who have been and will continue to be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals of protecting and restoring freshwater habitats and conserving the most threatened freshwater species globally”.

Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL

There is, of course, much work to be done. This first phase is just the start of a strategy of work leading up to 2032, all efforts of which will support the achievement of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s New Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030, the UN Decade of Restoration, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals targets

Read the report here

SHOAL's Phase One report front cover — SHOAL’s Phase One report front cover

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

September 23rd 2023

SHOAL, Stories

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New roadmap sets the course for urgent conservation of freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia

A photograph of a purple, blue and black iridescent fish. Betta cracens is a peat swamp forest freshwater fish species from Indonesia, identified to have high potential for successful ex situ conservation Freshwater conservation Southeast Asia.

Major report published today by the IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), Mandai Nature and SHOAL.

Today marks the release of The Strategic Framework to Accelerate Urgent Conservation Action for ASAP Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia, a new roadmap which sets the course for the urgent conservation of freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia.

The IUCN has identified 90 freshwater fishes on the brink of extinction in the region, across 11 countries including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

The aim of this new roadmap is to see all 90 Critically Endangered ASAP freshwater fishes receiving active conservation efforts by 2030.

“Southeast Asia is the world’s hotspot for highly threatened species. This framework provides the direction and clarity required to focus and catalyse action to bring the most threatened freshwater fishes back from the brink of extinction.”

Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL

Freshwater habitats are home to 51% of all known fish species, yet one third of freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction – making them one of the most highly threatened taxa globally.

Southeast Asia alone is home to 30% of global freshwater fish species, making up 15 of the 16 fish species declared extinct in 2020.

“The lack of targeted conservation action requires a ramp up of support and funding for these overlooked species.”

Dr Sonja Luz, CEO, Mandai Nature

The framework identifies rapid loss and degradation of natural habitats as the primary threat to nearly all Critically Endangered freshwater fishes. Many of these habitats are shared across borders, highlighting the vital need for cross-country cooperation to achieve meaningful conservation impact.

“Collective efforts across Southeast Asia are urgently needed and are crucial to halt declines immediately.”

Nerissa Chao, Director, IUCN SSC ASAP

The Strategic Framework to Accelerate Urgent Conservation Action for ASAP Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia is a collaboration between SHOAL, the IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), and Mandai Nature.

Read the full report here

SHOAL-ASAP Freshwater Fish Conservation Grant

In tandem with the report, SHOAL and ASAP are launching the SHOAL-ASAP Grant for Freshwater Fishes. The grant will fund the implementation and recommendations outlined in The Strategic Framework to Accelerate Urgent Conservation Action for ASAP Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia. Donors interested in helping to make a difference can also contribute to this important cause.

Open calls for proposals start on Monday 10th July 2023. Find out more here

“We are excited to be launching a new dedicated grant programme targeting conservation action for Critically Endangered freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia.”

Nerissa Chao, Director, IUCN SSC ASAP

The Webinar

An exciting webinar celebrates launch of The Strategic Framework to Accelerate Urgent Conservation Action for ASAP Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia. Join key voices in freshwater conservation, on Thursday 20th July at 6am BST.

“Securing a Future for Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia” will feature conservation practioners and researchers from SHOAL, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, and PROGRES.

The speakers will share the breadth of their work with freshwater fish in Southeast Asia, and discuss what conservation action is needed for freshwater fish populations to thrive in the region.

Save the date and register for the webinar.

Speakers

A man with grey hair and a beard, wearing a blue shirt, smiling at the camera. Freshwater conservation Southeast Asia.

Mike Baltzer
Executive Director, SHOAL

Taking action for Southeast Asia’s most threatened freshwater fish species

A man with black hair wearing glasses and a blue shirt looking into camera. Freshwater conservation Southeast Asia.

Dr. Tan Heok Hui
Ichthyologist, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore

Discovery of Freshwater Fishes in Southeast Asia – a Personal Perspective

A woman wearing a blue cap and scarf, sunglasses and a yellow top, sitting outside holding a plastic tub. Freshwater conservation Southeast Asia.

Sheherazade
Co-executive director, PROGRES

Tiny fish of Sulawesi and the big journey of galvanizing local actions to conserve them

The Strategic Framework

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

July 10th 2023

1000 Fishes, SHOAL, Stories

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New Species 2022 report released

A photograph of a fish with a black head and a red and white striped body, one of the new species featured in the report.

Our annual New Species report, detailing the 201 species of freshwater fish identified last year.

A fish that can leap out of water to escape predators, an air-breathing catfish, and some blood-sucking vampires highlighted in New Species 2022.

This World Wildlife Day SHOAL release their second annual New Species report, a landmark report detailing the 201 freshwater fish species described in 2022.

The class of 2022 includes:

The Juan Deriba killifish, which can leap out of water and stay on dry land for hours to escape predators
The Monsembula catfish, named after Congolese researcher and Greenpeace campaigner Raoul Mosembula
Nine species of Paracanthopoma, a genus of blood-sucking catfish with nice names like Daemon, Satanica and Vampyra
Two species of Amazonian darter, the beautiful fin darter and Apuí root darter, whose habitat is being lost to deforestation even as they are being discovered

“SHOAL’s New Species reports shine a much-needed light on a group of creatures that get very little attention.”

Michael Baltzer, Executive Director, SHOAL

Let’s look at the numbers!

Of the 201 freshwater fish first described in 2022, there are:

88 from South America
68 from Asia
25 from Africa
9 from Oceania
8 from Europe
3 from North America

“It may come as a surprise to some to learn that hundreds of freshwater fish species are described every year. But it shows just how much there is for us to learn about what lies beneath the surface of the planet’s freshwaters. More than half of all fish species live in freshwater, which is remarkable considering less than 1% of Earth’s water is liquid freshwater. Yet humans have historically neglected and mistreated freshwater habitats, meaning that many of these incredible species are at risk of being lost. SHOAL’s annual New Species reports, in collaboration with the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group and the California Academy of Sciences, puts a much-needed spotlight on these species, which will ultimately give them a greater chance of being saved.”

Kathy Hughes, Co-Chair, IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group

New Species 2022 is a collaboration…

…between SHOAL, the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, and the California Academy of Sciences. As well as highlighting the newly described species, it deep dives into a selection of fish species and showcases some of their incredible adaptations.

The report is the second edition of SHOAL’s annual release of New Species reports. New Species 2021 showcased the 212 freshwater fish described in 2021, and is available to read here.

Front cover of New Species 2022.

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

March 3rd 2023

SHOAL, Stories

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Assessing the extinction risk of all species of freshwater fishes globally

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Assessing the extinction risk of all species of freshwater fishes globally: an interview with Catherine Sayer

Catherine Sayer is the Freshwater Programme Officer in the IUCN Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team, based at The David Attenborough Building in Cambridge, UK. She is currently working to get the extinction risk of all species of freshwater fishes globally assessed for the IUCN Red List, which will fill in knowledge gaps on which regions have the highest numbers and proportions of threatened freshwater fishes, giving a greater understanding of where conservation programmes are likely to have most impact.

SHOAL caught up with her to learn more about the IUCN Red List assessment process and get some advice on how researchers and taxonomists can conduct Red List assessments themselves.

Tell us a bit about your background and your current role. And what led you to do what you do now?

I have been working for IUCN since 2014 based in Cambridge, UK in the (recently renamed) Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge Team, part of the IUCN Centre for Science and Data. I was initially part of the Red List Unit, but since 2016 have been focussing on freshwater biodiversity, now with the role of Programme Officer.

My background is quite broad, with an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences (Zoology) and an MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, but over the last few years I’ve become much more familiar with the fascinating and often overlooked world of freshwater! At present, my work primarily focusses on increasing the representation of freshwater species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, through assessment of species of freshwater decapods (crabs, crayfishes, and shrimps), fishes, molluscs, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), and aquatic plants. This is important given the unprecedented level of threat to the freshwater realm, which is incredibly species rich (supporting over 10% of all known species and 30% of vertebrates, despite covering less than 1% of the Earth’s surface), and of great value to human livelihoods in terms of ecosystem services.

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Catherine Sayer © Catherine Sayer

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You have recently done a gap analysis to see which species still need to be assessed for the Red List. What does this involve?

IUCN is working to complete a global assessment of all freshwater fish species for the IUCN Red List, and I recently completed a gap analysis to identify which freshwater fish species still need to be assessed. To do this I compared a list of all described freshwater fish species from Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes, which is the standard taxonomic source for fishes on the Red List, to a list of all species with assessments published on the IUCN Red List, or under way through ongoing projects. The resulting list (after accounting for quite a few taxonomic discrepancies and changes!) includes all “gap species” of freshwater fish that still need to have Red List assessments completed. Many of these species are those that are relatively new to science, having been recently described, such that our target list is growing as researchers and taxonomists identify and describe more species!

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And what does a Red List assessment involve?

An IUCN Red List assessment tells us the relative extinction risk of a species. Each assessment includes an account with information on the distribution (including a distribution map), population, habitats and ecology, use and trade, threats, and conservation and research actions relevant to the species. This information is then used to assign species to a category of extinction risk based on data driven and objective criteria. The criteria are designed to identify species at higher relative risk of extinction based on their population size, population trend, or geographic range, together with information on threats acting on the species. Species assessed as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), or Critically Endangered (CR) are described as threatened. However, the Red List isn’t just limited to those species at high risk of extinction – it includes information on all species that have been assessed against the categories and criteria, including those assessed as Least Concern (LC) and considered to be at low relative risk of extinction, for example.

We work with species experts and conservation scientists to draft Red List assessments based on the best available knowledge at the time of assessment. Anyone with knowledge of the global population of a species can be an assessor, but in practice most assessments are drafted by members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups. Once drafted, assessments are reviewed by independent experts to ensure the data presented are correct and complete. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these first steps (drafting and review) often took place in workshops where we gathered species experts to assess the freshwater species native to a particular region and/or taxonomic group, but at present assessments are completed remotely by individuals or groups of experts collaborating online. Once reviewed, assessments are submitted to the IUCN Red List Unit in Cambridge, UK for final consistency checks before being published on the IUCN Red List website, which is recognised as an online scientific journal.

Once published, IUCN Red List data are available for many uses by a number of sectors: education and public awareness, scientific analyses, influencing conservation policy, informing conservation planning and priority setting, assisting with private sector decision making, and more. To search for a species on the IUCN Red List, simply enter its scientific or common name into the search bar at the top of the website. If the species has been assessed for the Red List, you will be taken to its species account.

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Participants of the Sunda Basin Freshwater Fishes Red List Review Workshop held at Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore in January 2019 © Catherine Sayer

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Screenshot of a Red List assessment

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Approximately how many freshwater fish species are assessed each year?

On the current version of the Red List (version 2021-3), there are assessments of 11,291 species of freshwater fish, representing over 60% of all described freshwater fish species. This total is the result of over 20 years of Red Listing work, but efforts and number of species assessed have greatly increased in recent years with support of initiatives such as the IUCN–Toyota Partnership, which have enabled us to increase the geographic coverage of the Red List with respect to freshwater fishes. In 2020, assessments of close to 1,800 freshwater fish species were published, primarily from the Sunda Basin and New Guinea, and in 2021, assessments of over 900 freshwater fish species were published, including species from Brazil, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. This year, we are hoping for many more species to be published, the majority of which will be native to South America.

And approximately what percentage of these are threatened with extinction?

Of the freshwater fish species assessed for the Red List so far, a best estimate of 30% are considered to be threatened with extinction, meaning they are assessed as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), or Critically Endangered (CR). This estimate isn’t yet based on complete data (given all freshwater fishes haven’t yet been assessed for the Red List), but indicates a higher percentage threatened with extinction than for birds, reptiles, and mammals, all of which have been assessed. Of the threatened freshwater fish species, 636 (6% of the total) are assessed as CR, and 943 (8%) are assessed as EN. It’s also important to note that a high proportion (21%) of the freshwater fish species assessed so far have been categorised as Data Deficient (DD). This means that there is insufficient information available to indicate their relative extinction risk, bringing some uncertainty into these estimates.

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Nothobranchius elucens was described by Béla Nagy in 2021, and assessed for the Red List by Nagy and Watters in the same year as Vulnerable based on its restricted geographic range (see here). © Béla Nagy

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column 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=”” 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=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2783|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” 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/2022/06/Bagarius-vegrandis_Nonn-Panitvong-600×264.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=””]

Bagarius vegrandis was described by Ng & Kottelat in 2021. An assessment of the species completed by Ng has been submitted to the IUCN Red List Unit for publication. © Nonn Panitvong

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Shoal are keen to encourage researchers and taxonomists to conduct Red List assessments when they discover and describe new species. Can you offer any advice on how they can best do this?

I am also keen to encourage researchers and taxonomists to assess species for the IUCN Red List after describing them! I work with a handful of species experts that do this already, but would welcome if this practice became more widespread. Lots of the information that is provided as part of the description of a species is also relevant to a Red List assessment, for example the known distribution and habitats of the species. Additionally, those involved in the discovery and collection of a species are generally familiar with activities occurring in the distribution of the species that might be observed to (or can be inferred to based on knowledge of similar species) have negative effects on the species, therefore representing known or potential threats. Together, this provides a good basis for a Red List assessment.

Some taxonomic descriptions already contain sections on the conservation status of a species, but these don’t constitute an official Red List assessment – Red List assessments are only official once they have been through the full IUCN Red List assessment process and been published on the IUCN Red List website. This is to ensure that the IUCN Red List categories and criteria have been applied correctly and consistently. Although not always the case, many recently described species are assessed as either Data Deficient (DD) or threatened, given they are often relatively poorly known or occur in poorly known areas, and may be rare or have highly restricted distributions.

For any researchers interested to assess their newly described freshwater fish species for the Red List (or any species for which they have the relevant knowledge), I would advise that they contact me and I will be able to guide them through the Red List assessment process. Alternatively, there are lots of helpful resources available via the Red List website, including a free online Red List training course.

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Paratrygon orinocensis was described by Loboda, Lasso, Rosa & Carvalho in 2021. The species is currently being assessed for the Red List by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. © LOBODA, LASSO, ROSA & DE CARVALHO

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

June 13th 2022

Feature

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Fantastic Freshwater report released

[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=”10%” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”10%” 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=””]

Fantastic Freshwater report released

A major new report has been published today by the world’s leading conservationists, highlighting the diversity and beauty of freshwater species and the immense threats they face to their survival. The Fantastic Freshwater: 50 landmark species for conservation report, led by Shoal, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), the IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, and the Global Center for Species Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo, emphasises the urgent need for freshwater species conservation, and highlights species from across the taxonomic spectrum that we are set to lose unless urgent action is taken to alleviate threats.

Worldwide, around one in three freshwater species are estimated to be at risk of extinction. Fantastic Freshwater: 50 landmark species for conservation focuses on 50 species – five each of amphibians, birds, crustaceans, fish, fungi, insects, mammals, molluscs, plants, and reptiles – to dive into a world of freshwater both fantastic and highly threatened.

Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath, co-chair IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, said: “Now that we have a better understanding of the conservation status of numerous freshwater species, we urgently need to implement conservation actions to prevent further extinctions and contribute to our goal of being nature positive by 2030″.

The 50 species were selected through consultation with 21 IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, and freshwater fungi experts. To be included, species had to be Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List or, if not yet assessed, would most likely meet these categories based on available data.

Each of the species receive very little conservation attention, especially compared to the attention placed on many marine and terrestrial species. Many of them also act as ‘umbrella’ species for a particular freshwater system, threat, or species group. Conservation of them would likely increase protection to other species living in the same habitats.

Monika Böhm, freshwater coordinator at the Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo, said: “This is a milestone report for us, as it brings together experts working on freshwater species from across the taxonomic spectrum, and from across the IUCN Species Survival Commission – one of the leading bodies on global species knowledge. Because many freshwater species suffer from the same threats, each of these species tells a compelling story of what is happening to our freshwaters, whether they are vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, or tiny fungi. We really would miss a trick by not working together to give a fuller picture of the wonders – and importance – of freshwater diversity!”

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2765|fusion-600″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Fantastic-freshwater-v14-1.pdf” linktarget=”_blank” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” s2id_autogen82=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen83=”” 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/2022/05/Screenshot-2022-05-18-at-10.53.40-600×840.png[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

May 18th 2022

Stories

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Describing new species: an interview with Ralf Britz

Ralf Britz collecting in Myanmar © Ralf Britz

Describing new species: an interview with Ralf Britz

Dr. Ralf Britz is a leading ichthyologist and taxonomist, and Head of the Ichthyology Section at Senckenberg World of Biodiversity. He has been involved in a total of 73 species descriptions and has been a key team member in the discovery of seven species which needed the creation of new genera. He was also the lead author on two papers describing the Gollum snakehead Aenigmachanna gollum: a new species in a new genus in an entirely new family.

With Shoal’s release of a landmark New Species 2021 report tomorrow, we caught up with Ralf to get the low-down on what discovering and describing new species really means.

What does it mean to describe a species, and how is it done?

When you describe a new species scientifically this process is often referred to among the public as having identified a new species. The process starts with the impression that you have found a species that does not have a scientific name, i.e. it is unknown scientifically. You then need to compare your specimens of what you think may be a new species with specimens of similar species that already have a name.

As taxonomy is one of the oldest scientific biological disciplines, this can be quite a cumbersome process, because you have to deal with all the species descriptions since and including Linnaeus’ 10th edition of his Systema naturae, published in 1758 and the starting point of animal taxonomy. If you are lucky and the group you work on has only a few species, then it is easy to compare your material with already collected material of the other species. This usually involves comparison with what we call type specimens, the specimens used to describe species. One of these type specimens is chosen as the holotype, the actual name bearer, the one specimen that is permanently linked to that name. These are stored ideally in publicly accessible museum collections. If, after comparison, you find that the specimens of what you thought were a new species are identical to one of the already described ones, then that is the end of the story. But if you find consistent and significant differences to all the known species in the group you are studying then you have probably found a new species.

The next step is then to write up a scientific manuscript in which you detail how your new species differs from already described (named) species, and you propose a name for it. The name may refer to a characteristic feature of the new species, or the place where it was collected, or it may honour a person, such as the person who collected it, an influential colleague or someone who supported your work.

In most cases the new name concerns just the new species. But sometimes you find an organism that you cannot easily fit into a larger group of similar and closely related species, a group we call a genus. In this case you may need to create a new genus for this new species. Here, the same rules apply you need to check all genera (plural of genus) in the larger group of organisms (a group we call a family). If you find you cannot fit it into one of the known genera, you can describe a new genus.

Once you have written up your findings relating to a new species or new genus, you submit your manuscript to a scientific journal for peer review. This means the manuscript is sent to other experts in the field who read your manuscript and point out potential problems, errors, mistakes etc. They provide the quality check before a manuscript is accepted and then published. They may ask you to revise your manuscript, check sources you may have overlooked, ask for additional details, or if you have made some major mistakes, suggest to reject your manuscript. If you have done your job, though, it may need no or just minor revision and will then get accepted for publication. Once it is published by a scientific journal and you have made sure you followed all the necessary steps that are required by the Code of Zoological Nomenclature – a set of rules that determine what has to be done for a name to be published in a valid way – then the new species is officially described and carries the name you have chosen.

I want to briefly touch on a worrying aspect of species descriptions that has started to plague taxonomy: the unholy alliance between self-proclaimed taxonomists and journals that will publish anything of any quality if you pay for it, the so-called predatory journals. There is an increasing number of manuscripts getting published which did not go through the strict and necessary step of peer review. Publication of these poor-quality species descriptions is a problem, because you cannot just ignore them as in other areas of science where poor papers just disappear in the garbage dump of scientific publications. Even poor-quality papers that describe new species will need to be considered due to the specific rules of nomenclature that need to be applied. Showing that these manuscripts are poor quality, and that the so-called new species is actually not new often involves so much more work, effort, time and money from you than the person invested who wrote the poor-quality manuscript. I know of cases in which one person described more than 20 new species from a well-known area of the world, all in predatory journals and with not a single of these so called new species really being new. Imagine that for each of these 20 or so new species you need to demonstrate that the original paper describing them is of poor quality and that these are not new species. This means you waste precious time, in which you could have described 20 new species with the level of quality that is necessary and is guaranteed by a proper peer review. Such taxonomic vandalism, as it has been termed, hampers the discovery of new species in a time when diversity is disappearing at an alarming rate.

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Cyanogaster noctivaga © Ralf Britz

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Are there any species descriptions you’ve been involved with that you found particularly memorable or noteworthy?

Oh yes, absolutely. I have a soft spot for the weird and wonderful. I was involved in the description of Paedocypris progenetica, the smallest fish and vertebrate species. Then Danionella dracula, an equally tiny relative of D. cerebrum. But D. dracula has impressive large fangs. Then there was a new species and genus of earthworm eel from Myanmar, which I named after my daughter, Pillaiabrachia siniae. And during night collecting in the Rio Negro in the Amazon basin we found a new brilliantly blue coloured little fish, the blue bellied night wanderer, as we named it, Cyanogaster noctivaga. But the most memorable is Aenigmachanna gollum. When I first saw a photo shared on social media and sent to me by my colleague Rajeev Raghavan from Kochi, my heart stopped, as I had no idea what kind of fish I was looking at. Well, it ended up in a genus and family of its own.

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Danionella dracula female © Erwin Schraml

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Pillaiabrachia siniae © Ralf Britz

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212 new freshwater fish species sounds like a lot in one year. What does this level of discovery tell us about the extent of what remains unknown in the planet’s freshwaters?

It sounds like a lot, but this has been the general trend of freshwater species discovery over the last few decades. There are still large parts of our planet that have not been explored and we keep discovering new animals that we had no idea existed. Finding a new species of an already established genus is exciting, but discovering entirely unknown lineages of higher taxonomic categories still today teaches us how much we do not know. And then keep in mind that only a tiny, tiny fraction of earth’s water volume, just around 0.03%, is freshwater in lakes and rivers and habitable for fishes. And yet, we have all this incredible diversity there. Mindboggling.

What is it about freshwater that leads to such incredible biodiversity?

I would say it is the more local situation and more diverse habitats that you get in freshwaters: you have river basins that are separated by land from other basins. There species evolve that are endemic to this river basin. Then you have ecological separations of river mouths from lowland parts of the rivers, separation of these from the more mountainous faster flowing parts of rivers and finally the rapidly flowing headwaters. This leads to endemism in different parts of the same river. These different parts of the same river will not only differ in the velocity of the water but also in the water temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity. Imagine that you have this basically in every major river.

Add this to the fact that through geological events over millions of years you have separations of parts of rivers and reunion of others, so there is a multitude of habitats changing over time and often very restricted endemisms.

All of these factors together act as species pumps that are obviously working much faster than in the oceans.

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Ralf collecting in the Rio Negro © Manuela Marinho

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Why is it important to discover and describe new species?

There are many different aspects to this question. One is this: if we consider the entire picture of lifeforms that evolution has produced on our planet, then we would miss many pieces of a complex puzzle if we stopped exploring. Think of the painting of Mona Lisa with hundreds of thousands of holes in it. You would not want to look at that.

Understanding diversity may also enable us to better understand how this diversity interacts. Something may seem insignificant but is sometimes of the greatest importance. Just think of invasive species, pests of crops, indicator species that help you evaluate the quality of a habitat and our environment. New species may become important in research: just think of the zebrafish discovered back in 1822 but also Danionella cerebrum only described last year. New species are pieces of the evolutionary puzzle we did not know existed and because of that we had no idea what they may have to offer.

Do you think it is important for people to care that new species are still being discovered and described? Why?

My experience is that people are generally excited when you tell them about new species discoveries. To imagine there is still so much out there that is unknown to us is a fascinating thought.

It is also more urgent than ever that we go out and discover, as the diversity is disappearing fast. Just think of the image of Mona Lisa with the hundreds of thousands of holes. Would

it not make you sad to know that these will never be filled as the species disappeared before we identified them?

What can we hope to learn from new species discoveries and descriptions?

The most important part we can learn is that there are so many fascinating organisms out there that we have not even discovered. Sometimes it is a new species that looks very much like one we already know, but often we discover a true gem, something unimaginable, unexpected, something we would have bet money does not exist. And these are special moments when you sit there quietly in awe of the evolutionary diversity our planet has produced.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Taxonomy, discovering, describing and understanding the evolutionary diversity that surrounds us to me is one of the most satisfying parts of my life. I would never trade it for anything else.

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Michael Edmondstone

March 23rd 2022

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Mid-year report 2021 published

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Mid-year report 2021 published

Our mid-year report has been published, showcasing some of the work we have achieved throughout the first six months of the year. It also looks ahead to some of the projects we have been and will continue to be working on during the second half of 2021.

Click on the image below to read the report.

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2049|medium” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”SHOAL mid-year report 2021″ link=”https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SHOAL-mid-year-report-2021-.pdf” linktarget=”_blank” 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/2021/09/SHOAL-mid-year-report-2021-pdf-212×300.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

September 21st 2021

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The effects of COVID-19 on freshwaters

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” s2id_autogen82=”” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”4%” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”4%” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” s2id_autogen83=”” overflow=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” s2id_autogen84=”” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” s2id_autogen85=”” background_position=”center center” s2id_autogen86=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” s2id_autogen87=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen88=”” background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” render_logics=”” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_background_color=”” sticky_height=”” sticky_offset=”” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ s2id_autogen89=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ s2id_autogen90=”” 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″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_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” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” 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″ 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=””]© Shutterstock

The effects of COVID-19 on freshwaters

By Michael Edmondstone[/fusion_text][fusion_content_boxes layout=”icon-with-title” columns=”1″ heading_size=”2″ iconspin=”no” icon_align=”left” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” margin_top=”3″ margin_bottom=”3″][fusion_content_box title=”” backgroundcolor=”#6cafc1″ icon=”” iconflip=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” image=”” image_id=”” image_max_width=”” link=”” linktext=”Read More” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

A team of global experts in freshwater fish biodiversity and conservation have published a paper discussing the possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on freshwater ecosystems. As expected, both positives and negatives are likely to arise from this period of reduced human activity.

Let’s take a look at some of the findings.

[/fusion_content_box][/fusion_content_boxes][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=””]Invasive species

Invasive species are considered to be one of the most significant drivers of freshwater biodiversity decline (Reid et al., 2019). COVID-19 has both changed the way that invasive species spread between regions and the way humans are able to control this spread.

On the one hand, a reduction in global trade and travel means there will be subsequent reductions in invasive species transport associated with pathways such as air transportation, the movement of fresh foods, and recreational activities (Hulme, 2009; Early et al., 2016).

On the flipside of this, however, the authors say ‘it seems likely that human-related pathways of species introductions may actually accelerate the pace of invasions’.

There has also been ‘significant budget reductions for controlling the spread of invasive fishes from intentional introductions, aquaculture releases, and unintentional transport. For example, a US$8 million project aimed at stopping the spread of invasive Asian carp in Michigan, USA, was vetoed in order to support the state’s response to COVID-19 instead (Boomgaard, 2020)’.

Furthermore, community science programs have largely ceased in response to COVID-19 because of lockdown restrictions, reducing the ability to notice new or track existing invasive species.[/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″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_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” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” 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″ last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”1728|fusion-1200″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” 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″ margin_right=”4%” margin_left=”4%”]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JEREMY-SHELTON-GAMTOOS-RIVER-REDFIN-1200×763.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=””]

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_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” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” 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″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”1729|fusion-1200″ max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” 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″ margin_right=”4%” margin_left=”4%”]https://shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screenshot-2021-03-03-at-17.12.12-1200×751.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_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″ border_sizes_right=”4%” border_sizes_left=”4%” padding_right=”4%” padding_left=”4%”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_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” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” 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″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” border_sizes_right=”4%” border_sizes_left=”4%”][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=””]

Pollution

Dramatic reductions in industrial pollution has led to cleaner rivers around the world. For instance, ‘temporary closures of many industries have potentially reduced discharge of nutrients, heavy metals, and other chemicals to water bodies and reduced emissions to the atmosphere (Chow, 2020). Reduced nitrogen dioxide concentrations observed over Eastern China, Europe, the Northeastern United States, and India have been used as indicators of temporary recovery of urban surface water quality that runs off into waterways (Hallema et al., 2020)’.

However, ‘the pandemic has also increased pollution impacts on freshwater fishes. In the UK, disruption to food supply chains has led to dumping wasted food and drink, such as milk, which has entered waterbodies, potentially depleting oxygen levels through eutrophication (Ends report, 2020; Salmon and Trout Conservation, 2020). Elsewhere, altered sewage pollution patterns or collapse of the sewage systems could be a major detriment to aquatic biodiversity (Herbig, 2019; Tortajada and Biswas, 2020). Increased use of disinfectants (e.g., hand sanitizers, cleaning products) has likely increased their presence in freshwater systems through runoff and wastewater discharge (Zhang et al., 2020). In addition, heightened concern for hygiene and disease spread has increased pollution associated with packaging and personal protection equipment (Roberts et al., 2020, Van Reenen, 2020; Aragaw, 2020). Moreover, as single-use plastics are a key source of microplastics in fresh waters (Li et al., 2020), such actions will likely contribute to more plastic pollution entering waterways’.

Climate Change

In the short-term, ‘global travel restrictions and reduced industrial activity have dramatically decreased fossil fuel consumption worldwide (Gössling et al., 2020), resulting in a temporary reduction in CO2 emissions during lockdown (average reduction of 26%, Le Quéré et al., 2020)’.

According to the authors, ‘The timescale of these reductions is likely too short to affect long-term climate change trends or freshwater habitat conditions, yet these temporary shifts could translate to longer term change depending on societal responses, i.e., whether economic recovery efforts follow a return to ‘business as usual,’ or embrace the implementation of new climate policies that drive further reductions in energy use and shifts to clean energy. A shift towards working from home could be a significant longer-term change that reduces emissions (Hern, 2020)’.

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The paper states that, ‘Fragmentation of freshwater systems is a major threat to freshwater biodiversity, particularly migratory fishes (Dudgeon et al., 2006; Nilsson et al., 2005). The construction of dams is currently the greatest source of increased fragmentation in freshwater ecosystems as free-flowing rivers are obstructed (Zarfl et al., 2015). The slowdown of industrial development and construction activities during the pandemic has also slowed hydropower projects, particularly in Asia (Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Indonesia, India and Myanmar; Cox, 2020), and temporarily suspended further fragmentation of freshwater ecosystems. How long this will persist is unknown, given global changes in energy demand due to COVID-19.’

‘However, as regions prioritise economic recovery post-pandemic, there is evidence that environmental legislation and assessment processes are being side-stepped (Diele-Viegas and Pereira, 2020; Canadian Environmental Law Association, 2020). It is possible proponents of development projects will attempt to take advantage of a swamped news-cycle, decreased environmental assessment capacity, and a need for economic growth following the lockdown to push forward controversial projects. For example, the Government of India is considering a controversial 3097 MW dam (Dibang Valley Hydropower project) in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot (Chandrashekhar, 2020). While many regions of the world are building dams, other regions are removing them (Ding et al., 2019) or constructing fishways to provide passage over such barriers. Funding for such restoration projects may be restricted or diverted during the economic recession to benefit human health and employment security (discussed in Corlett et al., 2020), but to the detriment of river fishes.’

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Habitat Loss

There are many examples where habitats and ecosystems have suffered greater damage than usual during COVID-19. For example, ‘in India, sand mining, an emerging threat to freshwater ecosystems (Koehnken et al., 2020), increased due to reduced enforcement mechanisms (Kannan, 2020)’. And in the Amazon, ‘deforestation rates increased by 55% from January to April 2020, compared with the same period in 2019 (Brown, 2020) due to reduced enforcement (Schwartz et al., 2020). This is intensifying pressures on the already vulnerable freshwater ecosystems of the region (Castello et al., 2013).’

Exploitation

Overexploitation of freshwater fishes is another major driver of freshwater biodiversity loss (Reid et al., 2019 and references therein).

Over the short-term, impacts of COVID-19 are likely to affect different areas in different ways, with some fish species benefitting, and others being compromised. But over the long-term, ‘the impacts of COVID-19 can be expected to amplify exploitation and unsustainable fishing practices.’

‘Job losses in urban areas and the return of migrant workers to their rural homes (Mukhra et al., 2020) will increase fishing effort and may lead to fishing practices that will impact negatively on imperilled fishes, such as the Critically Endangered hump-backed mahseer (Tor remadevii; Pinder et al., 2020). This is coupled with evidence of increased illegal fishing activities because of reduced surveillance and enforcement activities.’

‘Increased effort and exploitation have also been documented in many recreational fisheries around the world as many people have sought outdoor spaces while under lockdown and many countries have incentivized recreational fishing as a socially-distanced activity (e.g., free fishing days). Many areas are seeing an increase in the sales of fishing licenses relative to the same periods in 2019, including Texas, USA (39% increase; CBS Local, 2020), Vermont, USA (resident license have increased 50%, Gribkoff and Trombly, 2020), England (increase of 120% in rod licenses; Cuff, 2020), among many other fisheries worldwide. In some areas, restrictions have affected international travel for recreational fishing and related tourism (Gössling et al., 2020), which is likely to reduce local income and compromise co-management agreements aimed at maintaining high abundances of large-bodied freshwater fishes for recreational anglers. Examples include conservancies for tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) in Namibia (Cooke et al., 2016), Arapaima spp. in Guyana (Lynch et al., 2016b), and mahseer (Tor spp.) in India (Pinder and Raghavan, 2013).’

Conclusion

The paper concludes that in ‘one to two years from now, we anticipate freshwater biodiversity at the global scale will be in a similar or improved condition relative to if the pandemic had not occurred. Improvements to freshwater habitat quality resulting from the global ‘pause’ in economic development and declines in human disturbance, adapted fishing activities, and reduced pollution all have the potential to benefit fish populations (Rutz et al., 2020). However, the relatively short-time scale of the lock-down period means freshwater fishes are unlikely to exhibit substantial long-term changes.’

But over a longer time-scale – five years or more – ‘the future state of freshwater fisheries is very likely to be worse than if the pandemic had not occurred.’ It is likely that an ‘eagerness to return to economic growth may lead to a rebounding period that ultimately accelerates and compounds threats to freshwater fishes existing prior to the pandemic. This dynamic may play out to a greater extent in developing regions because of increased prevalence of food insecurity caused by the pandemic.’

In light of the World’s Forgotten Fishes report released by Shoal, WWF and other leading conservation organisations, it is now crucial to ramp up the messaging to encourage policymakers to show ambitious leadership in saving the threatened freshwaters around the world.

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Post Overview

Michael Edmondstone

March 3rd 2021

Conservation, Feature, Report

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‘Forgotten Fishes’ report released

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Shoal releases ‘The World’s Forgotten Fishes’ report with WWF and other leading conservation organisations

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Shoal has released a critical report with WWF and 15 other leading conservation organisations , calling on governments to commit to an Emergency Recovery Plan for global freshwater biodiversity.

‘The World’s Forgotten Fishes’ report is a urgent call to arms for authorities to ramp up their action towards conserving freshwater ecosystems. Bold, ambitious prioritisation will be essential if we are going to bend the curve of the biodiversity crisis and safeguard the futures of freshwater species. As the report says, ‘2021 may be the last chance for governments to chart a new course that could reverse the loss of nature and put the world back onto a sustainable path’.

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The report details the importance of freshwater fish, and discusses their central role in the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. It discusses the money generated through recreational activities such as angling, the impressive cultural heritage fish have woven into our lives, and the potentially surprising fact that aquarium fish are more popular than cats or dogs.

It explains the reasons for the catastrophic decline in fish species populations and, crucially, sets out the Emergency Recovery Plan that is needed to guide policymakers:

Allowing rivers to flow more naturally.
Reducing pollution.
Protecting critical wetland habitats.
Ending overfishing and unsustainable sand mining.
Controlling invasive species.
Safeguarding and restoring connectivity.

The report confirms that the ‘freshwater transition is a realistic and pragmatic one, based on measures that have already been tried and tested in at least some rivers, lakes and wetlands’, and goes on to say that ‘it is a comprehensive plan that moves us away from today’s ad hoc conservation successes towards a strategic approach that can deliver solutions at the scale necessary to reverse the collapse in biodiversity and set us on course to a future where our freshwater ecosystems are once again fully healthy and teeming with freshwater fishes and other wildlife’.

Over the coming weeks we will be highlighting Forgotten Fishes in a number of magazines and podcasts, including this interview with Mike Baltzer in angling magazine The Wading List. Keep an eye on our social media channels to stay updated with the latest.

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Michael Edmondstone

February 21st 2021

Angling, Aquarists, Conservation, Fish, Report, Stories

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