Ísland er þátttakandi í þessari eyðingu ef lög Hönnu Katrínar Friðrikssonar atvinnuvegaráðherra verða samþykkt óbreytt á Alþingi.
Freshwater fish populations have declined by 81%, raising serious concerns for global food security and river ecosystem health.
Freshwater ecosystems are experiencing some of the most severe wildlife losses on Earth. A 2024 global assessment found that migratory fish populations have dropped by an average of 81% between 1970 and 2020. This dramatic decline is largely caused by human activities, including dam construction that blocks natural migration routes, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.These fish species play a crucial role in keeping rivers and wetlands healthy, but they are disappearing faster than many terrestrial and marine species. Their loss is pushing many ecosystems toward ecological collapse.
Beyond environmental damage, this decline also threatens millions of people who rely on migratory fish for food and income, especially in regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Despite the alarming trend, experts say recovery is still possible through effective conservation efforts, such as removing outdated dams, improving fish passage systems, and protecting free-flowing rivers. Scaling these solutions quickly is critical to preventing irreversible damage to freshwater ecosystems.
#FreshwaterEcosystems #FishDecline #EnvironmentalCrisissource: World Wildlife Fund. (2024). Living Planet Report 2024: A System in Peril. World Wildlife Fund.