A study jointly conducted by 25 regional and international environmental organizations shows that fish in the Mekong River basin1 5 are at risk of extinction.
The Mekong is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the world, second only to the Amazon and Congo, and is home to some 1,148 recognized species of fish and millions of people depend on it for their income**, according to AFP 3**. The researchers found that the Mekong River has faced environmental challenges in recent years due to a variety of factors, including damming, sand mining, poor fisheries management, habitat loss and invasive alien species. Seventy-four species of Mekong fish on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are assessed as "endangered".
Many sections of the Mekong River have not been fully studied due to the lack of publicly available data, and "it is certain that the Mekong is well above 74 species of fish endangered," the report said. The report urges countries along the Mekong River to commit to addressing freshwater challenges and protecting and restoring river ecosystems. Improving water quality, protecting critical habitats and species, and removing old river barriers are important steps to help restore the Mekong, the report recommends. (Zhen Xiang).