Fish species that undertake mammoth migrations through rivers, lakes, and ponds are facing a combined threat from dams, pollution, and overfishing preventing them from reaching their breeding grounds. The golden mahseer and goonch catfish are some of the thirty flagship fish species which have now been prioritized for global conservation by the UN in a new report. A team of international scientists assessed more than 15,000 species of freshwater migratory fish - which make up half of all fish species - and found their numbers had dropped by an estimated 81% in the last half century.

The authors said for too long the group has been ignored but 'are an essential part of people's livelihoods.' Freshwater fish not only support hundreds of millions of people worldwide but also contribute to cultural practices across various regions.

The UN is now proposing that the 30 fish species be added to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species to ensure coordinated efforts to protect them. This involves tackling threats such as pollution and habitat loss caused by dams, which fragment river systems and obstruct migration routes.

Due to their immense diversity and the critical roles they play, it is vital for governments and communities to act now to protect migratory fish before they face extinction.