Thousands of freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, according to a report issued Monday at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The organization analyzed just under 15,000 species and discovered that 25% are at risk of extinction. Climate change affects as least 17% of threatened species. According to the IUCN, rising sea levels are causing seawater to migrate up rivers. Pollution, overfishing, invasive species, disease, dams, and water extraction all pose threats to freshwater species. According to the group, pollution affects 57% of freshwater fish species that are on the verge of extinction.
According to Kathy Hughes, co-chair of the IUCN freshwater fish specialist group, more than half of the world’s known fish species reside in freshwater. She claims they are essential to the environment.
“This is essential to the billions of people who rely upon freshwater ecosystems, and the millions of people who rely on their fisheries,” he said. “Ensuring freshwater ecosystems are well managed, remain free-flowing with sufficient water, and good water quality is essential to stop species declines and maintain food security, livelihoods and economies in a climate resilient world.”
According to the World Wildlife Fund, at least 200 million people worldwide rely on freshwater fish as their primary source of protein in 2021.
According to the IUCN estimate, the worldwide population of near endangered Atlantic salmon declined by 23% between 2006 and 2020. Salmon can be found in both fresh and salt water.
“Climate change affects all stages of the Atlantic salmon’s life cycle, influencing the development of young salmon, reducing prey availability and allowing invasive alien species to expand their range,” the non-profit claimed. “Dams and other barriers block access to spawning and feeding grounds, while water pollution and sedimentation, primarily from logging and agriculture, lead to higher mortality of young salmon.”
Freshwater species are not the only ones at risk. According to the IUCN, the latest Red List of Threatened Species now comprises 157,190 species, 44,016 of which are threatened with extinction.
“Climate change is endangering the diversity of life on our planet and undermining nature’s ability to meet basic human needs,” stated IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar.
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