Report shows quarter of fresh water fish are
endangered

Latest Redlist by the International Union for Conservation and Natural Resources has revealed that a quarter of fresh water fish are facing extinction, mainly due to climate change.

The lists show the global crisis has not only affected human beings, but also damaged biodiversity, thereby affecting the existence of some of the species living in these natural habitats.

According to Grethel Aguillar, the Director General at IUCN, 157,190 species of fish are on the Redlist.
Some 44,000 of the species, including fresh water fish and amphibians, are facing extinction, which means if no efforts are put in place to save the species, they are likely to go extinct.

“Thirty five per cent of freshwater fish are at a risk of extinction with climate change related causes being the main reason for this. Climate change has caused a decrease of fresh water levels and also rise of sea water levels, moving salty water up to the fresh water sources, thereby degrading their natural habitat,” she said.

Grethel said it was time for communities, governments and organisations to take action to protect the marine species before they are wiped out of the earth.

“Few years ago, saiga antelope was critically endangered but with efforts from stakeholders in Chad, it has moved to threatened. It is evident that conservation work can save these species,” she said.

Amphibians

Rima Jabado, the deputy chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission, says fresh water fishes have been impacted by the rising and low temperatures of the water, resulting in either extremely hot water or extremely cold water which threatens their survival.

In Kenya, water levels across many fresh water sources such as Lake Naivasha have been rising, resulting in submerging of human habitats, but also reduction of its fish.

The IUCN Red List is the most authoritative and comprehensive list of animals, plants, trees and fungi that have been assessed for their risk of extinction and its outcomes are critical indicators of the health of the world’s biodiversity.

Amphibians which include frogs, toads and salamanders have also been impacted by the climate change crisis.