Mekong giant catfish

 

Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, among the largest and rarest freshwater fish globally, were recently caught and released in Cambodia, offering renewed hope for the species’ survival.

These underwater giants can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh as much as 300 kilograms. Native to Southeast Asia’s Mekong River, they once inhabited the entire 4,900-kilometre stretch from Vietnam to China’s Yunnan province. However, their population has declined by 80% in recent decades due to overfishing, dam construction disrupting migratory routes, and other environmental challenges.

Few among the millions who depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods have ever seen a giant catfish. Finding six in just five days is unprecedented.

The first two were caught in the Tonle Sap River, a Mekong tributary near Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. They were tagged and released. Days later, fishermen captured four more, including two exceeding 2 meters in length and weighing 120 kg and 131 kg. These fish were likely migrating from floodplain habitats near Tonlé Sap Lake to spawning grounds in northern Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand.

“This is a hopeful sign that the species isn’t at immediate risk of extinction,” said Dr. Zeb Hogan, a University of Nevada, Reno biologist and leader of the Wonders of the Mekong project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. “It provides a critical window for conservation efforts to shift the species from decline toward recovery.”

While much remains unknown about the Mekong giant catfish, conservation efforts over the past two decades have made significant strides. A joint initiative between the Wonders of the Mekong project and Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration has tagged and released around 100 fish, gathering vital data on their migratory patterns, habitats, and overall health.

The Mekong giant catfish holds deep cultural significance in the region. It appears in 3,000-year-old cave paintings, features prominently in folklore, and serves as a symbol of the Mekong River, whose fisheries sustain millions and generate $10 billion annually.

Local communities are essential to conservation. Fishermen increasingly report accidental catches of endangered species, enabling researchers to measure, tag, and release the fish. This collaboration has enhanced understanding and contributed to preserving the species.

In addition to the giant catfish, the Mekong River hosts other large species, including the salmon carp—once thought extinct and rediscovered this year—and the giant stingray.

The recent discovery of six giant catfish, with four tagged in a single day, has been hailed as a milestone. Brian Eyler, director of the Stimson Centre’s Southeast Asia program, called it the “big fish story of the century for the Mekong.” He emphasised that the findings affirm the resilience of the river’s annual fish migration, even amid environmental pressures.

 

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