IUCN Red List Report on Extinction Threat to Freshwater Fish

Summary: On December 11, 2023, during the COP28 UN Climate Conference, the IUCN released a concerning report about the extinction threat to freshwater fish. The update highlighted that out of 157,190 species assessed, 44,016 are threatened with extinction. Specifically, 25% of freshwater fish are at risk, with climate change affecting 17% of these threatened species. The report noted changes in the status of several species: the Atlantic Salmon moved to ‘Near Threatened’, the Central South Pacific Green Turtle is now ‘Endangered’, while the Saiga Antelope improved from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Near Threatened’. In India, particularly Kerala and the Western Ghats, new assessments listed four freshwater fish species, with three categorized as ‘Endangered’ and one as ‘Vulnerable’. Various organizations are involved in conservation efforts, including reintroduction and recovery programs, and addressing threats like illegal logging, overfishing, and pollution. The report emphasizes the need for global partnerships, increased conservation investments, and strategic actions for biodiversity protection, ecosystem resilience, and tackling climate change and environmental threats.