Migratory fish are culturally, economically, and recreationally important. Hundreds of millions of people depend on these species for their livelihoods, food, and economic stability. Migratory fish additionally provide crucial support to river and marine ecosystems.
In July 2020, the World Fish Migration Foundation released the first Living Planet Index for Migratory Freshwater Fish. The report discovered a startling 76% global decline in migratory fish populations since 1970.
Without healthy, free flowing rivers, migratory fish cannot complete their life cycles, causing their populations to decline. Barriers such as dams, weirs, and culverts are one of the largest factors impacting this decline. Dam removal is one of the fastest, most effective ways to restore rivers and migratory fish populations!
We are calling on organizations to join us in the global call to national and international decision makers to take definitive, urgent action to protect free flowing rivers and migratory fish for nature and people.
We hope to present the petition at the UN COP-15 meeting in China in May 2022, where the finalization and adoption of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework will be discussed.