UN Report Reveals 81% Decline in Migratory Freshwater Fish Populations Since 1970s

The United Nations recently reported a staggering 81% decline in migratory freshwater fish populations since the 1970s, identifying 325 species that urgently need conservation. Major hazards impacting their breeding and feeding areas include dams, habitat destruction, overfishing, and climate change affecting water flow. The report emphasizes key conservation zones like the Mekong Basin, Amazon, Danube, Nile, and Ganges-Brahmaputra. Zeb Hogan, the lead author, mentions that this issue hasn’t received enough attention. CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel notes that the hidden nature of these migrations adds to the problem. In the Mekong Basin, the fishery's economic value has dropped from $11 billion to $8 billion, impacting millions. Michele Thieme from WWF calls for global cooperation, while co-author Zach Bess urges more Southeast Asian countries to join the Convention on Migratory Species. Currently, only 24 migratory freshwater fish species are recognized, despite their crucial ecological importance. Separately, a January 2025 study in Nature revealed that nearly 25% of freshwater animals face extinction threats.