IUCN Red List Report on Extinction Threat to Freshwater Fish

December 15, 2023

A new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment has unveiled a dire situation for freshwater fish species, with approximately a quarter facing the risk of extinction due to climate change. Out of 14,898 species assessed, 3,086 are identified as at risk, showcasing the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Climate Change Compound Threats

Climate change poses a compound threat to freshwater fish, affecting 17% of threatened species due to decreasing water levels, shifting seasons, and rising sea levels that push seawater into rivers. This exacerbates existing threats from pollution (57%), dams and water extraction (45%), overfishing (25%), disease, and invasive species (33%).

Case Study: Lake Turkana Robber

The assessment highlights the impact of climate change on specific species, such as the Lake Turkana robber (Brycinus ferox) in Kenya. Overfishing, habitat degradation from climate change, and dam construction leading to reduced freshwater inflow have moved this species from least concern to vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Decline of Atlantic Salmon Population

The global population of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) has decreased by 23% between 2006 and 2020, pushing the species from least concern to near threatened. Multiple threats during migration, including climate change affecting development, prey availability, invasive species, and anthropogenic disturbances like dams, contribute to the decline.

Green Turtles and Big Leaf Mahogany: Climate Change Impacts

The Central South Pacific and East Pacific green turtle populations have moved closer to extinction due to climate change affecting hatching success, sea level rise, and changes in ocean temperatures. Additionally, the assessment reveals the big leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) has shifted from vulnerable to endangered due to illegal logging, urban encroachment, and climate change threats to its habitat.

Positive Developments: Scimitar-Horned Oryx and Saiga Antelope

The scimitar-horned oryx and Saiga antelope present positive stories amid challenges. The oryx, once extinct in the wild, has been reintroduced successfully in Chad, while the Saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan has increased by 1,100% from 2015 to 2022, moving it from critically endangered to near threatened.

Urgent Action Required

The IUCN Red List update emphasizes the strong connection between climate change and biodiversity crises, calling for joint efforts to address the decline of species. Urgent and ambitious actions are needed to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius and protect the diversity of life on our planet. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN director-general, emphasizes the power to stop the havoc caused by climate change with immediate action.

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