Monday April 28, 2025
WECB —
The six giant catfish were captured by local fishermen, in collaboration with officials from Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration (CFA). The fishermen proudly held the two-meter-long fish—some of the largest freshwater species in the world—before safely releasing them back into their natural habitat. These catfish, some of which weighed up to 130 kilograms, are part of a species that has become increasingly rare due to a combination of overfishing, habitat destruction, and other environmental factors.
The giant catfish, native to the Mekong River, require a river free from barriers to thrive. According to the Wonders of the Mekong conservation group, which is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the survival of this species depends on preserving the Mekong River’s natural flow and reducing the threats it faces from human activity.
The Mekong River has faced multiple challenges in recent years. Overfishing, plastic pollution, and the construction of upstream dams have significantly impacted the water levels and overall health of the ecosystem. These factors have posed a severe threat to the survival of the giant catfish, contributing to a drastic decline in their population.