1 in 3 European freshwater fish species face extinction

More than a third of Europe's freshwater fish species faces extinction because their ecosystems are being destroyed, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has revealed.

Scientists from Switzerland and Germany have found that 200 of the 522 species of European freshwater fish are threatened by the rapid development of agriculture and industry over the past 100 years and said twelve species are already extinct.

Species at risk include the European eel, the jarabugo in southwestern Spain and Portugal, and several types of fish only found in one place, such as the Lake Ammersee kilch in Germany.

IUCN who produce an annual "Red List" of endangered species said:- large dams built for irrigation, flood control and power generation have had major impacts upon species in large rivers, and have led to local extinction of numerous migratory species. Also inappropriate fisheries management has led to overfishing and the introduction of alien species (and their diseases).
Measures are now needed to reduce pollution, preserve wetlands, and limit the amount of water extracted from streams and rivers in order to conserve the fish species.

William Darwall, Senior Programme Officer, IUCN Species Programme, said:
“With 200 fish species in Europe facing a high risk of going extinct we must act now to avoid a tragedy. Many of these species, not considered as “charismatic” or with any apparent “value” to people, rarely attract the funds needed for their conservation - they risk disappearing with only a dedicated few noticing the loss. These species are an important part of our heritage and are critical to the freshwater ecosystems upon which we do depend, such as for water purification and flood control. Many of these species can be saved through relatively simple measures. All we need is the public and political will to make it happen.”

The research is published in the "Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes,"
(ISBN 978-2-8399-0298-4, 2007), which was funded by the North of England Zoological Society.

For further information see:
http://www.iucn.org/en/news/archive/2007/11/1_pr_fish.htm

Jason Watts