Wednesday October 23, 2024
University of Nevada, Reno —
The “Mekong ghost” has resurfaced. After nearly two decades without a trace, the elusive giant salmon carp (Aaptosyax grypus) has been spotted once again in the waters of Cambodia, reigniting hope for the species’ survival and sparking calls for urgent conservation efforts to protect Southeast Asia’s Mekong River. The unusual fish, a carp with a hooked jaw and salmon-shaped body, had not been documented since 2005.
An international team of scientists, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and working with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration, has confirmed the existence of the giant salmon carp. Three fish were caught between 2020 and 2023, a significant finding for a species previously feared extinct. The research, published in the journal Biological Conservation, emphasizes the need for innovative conservation strategies to safeguard not only the salmon carp but the broader ecosystem of the Mekong, which has been termed a “fish superhighway” and is home to some of the largest freshwater fish on Earth.
“The rediscovery of the giant salmon carp is a reason for hope, not just for this species but for the entire Mekong ecosystem,” said Bunyeth Chan, lead researcher from Svay Rieng University in Cambodia. “The Mekong ecosystem is the most productive river on Earth, producing over two million tons of fish per year worth over $10 billion.”