Global Assessment of Migratory Freshwater Fishes

Migratory freshwater fish sustain food systems, cultures, and extraordinary biodiversity, yet many are declining rapidly. These species are highly susceptible to habitat loss, fragmentation, and overexploitation along their migratory routes, and many move across national boundaries during migration. 

This publication includes two complementary CMS products: a global review that identifies transboundary migratory freshwater fishes of unfavorable conservation status, and a companion case study focusing on transboundary migratory fish of the Amazon. This document also celebrates recent action to better integrate migratory freshwater fish into CMS activities, including a new Action Plan for Migratory Fish of the Amazon, a freshwater fish listing proposal, and other CMS pathways for coordinated action.

The global assessment represented by these reports identifies 349 migratory, transboundary freshwater fishes that potentially meet CMS Appendix criteria; of which 24 are already listed, leaving 325 candidates for prospective action