All articles tagged with #mekong river
A global assessment finds migratory freshwater fish collapsing due to dams, overfishing, habitat loss and pollution; 97% of migratory species are at risk of extinction, mega-fish in the Mekong have declined ~95% since 1970, and cross-border cooperation under the Convention on Migratory Species is needed to restore river connectivity and protect livelihoods and diets across major basins.
A ferry carrying over 140 people, mostly tourists, capsized in the Mekong River in Laos, resulting in at least two deaths and numerous rescues amid chaos and panic, highlighting concerns about safety and preparedness on the river.
Conservationists in Cambodia are celebrating the discovery and release of six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, boosting hopes for the species' revival. The fish, weighing up to 130 kilograms each, were tagged and released by fishermen and officials from Cambodia's Fisheries Administration. This rare event, facilitated by the USAID-funded Wonders of the Mekong project, provides valuable data on the catfish's ecology and migration, offering a chance to implement conservation measures. The species has suffered an 80% population decline due to illegal fishing, habitat loss, and environmental changes in the Mekong River.