A massive decline in migratory fish populations

A jaw-dropping new study found a catastrophic 81% decline in the global population of migratory freshwater fish over the last 50 years. 

That bears repeating: 81% of the fish are gone.

In some regions, the decline has been more than 90%. One quarter of these species could disappear entirely. 

Our world is interconnected, and the sharp decline of migratory fish could ripple throughout ecosystems and spell disaster.

Many species of migratory freshwater fish travel hundreds of miles upstream to spawn. But due to dams, water pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change and other threats, these hardy travelers are finding it impossible to survive.

And because so many of these fish species are vital sources of food for millions of people around the world, this isn’t bad news just for fish. It’s a serious threat to humanity as well. 

Humans like to build things, but in this case, one piece of the solution is to breach the dams most damaging to fish migrations. Additionally, we need to invest in conservation efforts to protect the many species that are threatened, endangered or swimming in that direction. 

Congress should act this year to pass the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide states with much-needed funding to protect fish and other species that are in decline. 

If ever there was a wake-up call, an 81% drop in fish populations is it.