Chinese-Built Dams Imperil Mekong River Health: Threatening Extinction of 1 in 5 Fish Species

• 31 March 2024
• Construction Focus
• 2518 Views

Approximately one in five (20%) of the fish species inhabiting the Mekong River are at risk of extinction due to unsustainable hydropower plant development practices, according to the research, spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and 25 other marine and wildlife conservation organizations published on 4 March 2024 updated by SCMP on 22 March 2024.

The primary culprit identified in the report is the proliferation of hydropower dams along the river and its tributaries. These dams disrupt the natural flow of the river, posing a significant threat to the diverse fish populations that depend on it for survival.

The conservationists’ report, titled “The Mekong’s Forgotten Fishes,” revealed alarming statistics about the status of fish species in the region. It found that 19% of the 1,148 or more fish species in the Mekong are on the path to extinction, with insufficient data available for an additional 38% of species to assess their conservation status accurately.

Among the species facing extinction are several listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, including iconic fish such as the Mekong giant catfish and giant freshwater stingray.

The depletion of fish stocks in the Mekong, which contributes over 15% of the world’s inland catch and generates more than US$11 billion annually, poses a significant threat to food security for millions of people in the Lower Mekong basin. Approximately 40 million individuals rely on the river for their livelihoods.

Fish biologist Zeb Hogan, leading the Wonders of the Mekong group involved in the report, highlighted the urgent nature of the threat posed by hydropower development. He stated, “The biggest threat right now, and a threat that’s still potentially gaining momentum, is hydropower development.”

Despite the grim outlook presented in the report, Hogan remains optimistic about the potential for collective action to reverse the decline in fish populations. He stressed the importance of countries in the Mekong Delta coordinating efforts to develop the river sustainably, stating, “If we take action, collectively take action, to develop the river sustainably, there’s still hope.”

The Mekong River, spanning nearly 5,000 km from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, serves as a vital resource for farming and fishing communities across six countries: China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

• Energy and Environment
• Agriculture and Aquaculture Project
• mekong