Fish are disappearing

New research published in Nature finds that a quarter of animals living in lakes, ponds, bogs, rivers, streams and other freshwaters face the threat of extinction. The researchers looked at more than 23,496 species of fish, crustaceans, dragonflies and damselflies.

This alarming trend of declining fish populations bodes poorly for the fishermen and women who love nothing more than spending a relaxing few hours baiting, casting and waiting — followed on most occasions by catching and later eating fish.

Previously we’ve written about a huge decline in migratory fish.

What’s causing this alarming problem? In the study, researchers list these threats:

• 54% of threatened species are affected by pollution,
• 39% by dams and water extraction,
• 37% by land-use change, and
• 28% by invasive species and disease.

Most threatened species (84%) are affected by more than one threat.

Catherine Sayer, one of the researchers, points out that freshwater habitats are home to 10% of the Earth’s animal species despite making up less than 1 percent of its surface.

In other words, even those who aren’t hooked on fishing should find this research concerning.