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22 October 2024 | 20:15
“Mekong Ghost”: Fish believed extinct reappears after 20 years
Tengrinews.kz - A giant specimen of a salmon carp nicknamed the "Mekong Ghost,” had not been seen for 20 years and was presumed extinct. However, Cambodian fishermen recently presented an unusual catch to scientists, according to CNN.
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Tengrinews.kz - A giant specimen of a salmon carp nicknamed the "Mekong Ghost,” had not been seen for 20 years and was presumed extinct. However, Cambodian fishermen recently presented an unusual catch to scientists, according to CNN.
The Cambodian fishermen caught two fish in the Mekong River, weighing between 5 and 7 kilograms and measuring 60 to 90 centimeters in length.
"Even though the fishermen … hadn’t seen the fish before, they knew that they had something remarkable, unusual. They knew that it was worth contacting us," said Zeb Hogan, a member of the international team of scientists working with Cambodia's fisheries department, in an interview with CNN.
For the team dedicated to protecting the Mekong, a river renowned for its biodiversity, it was a true celebration.
The Mekong, which means "Mother of Rivers" in Thai and Lao, flows through several Southeast Asian countries and is known for its incredible biodiversity. However, it also faces various challenges, including hydropower development, overfishing, and habitat degradation.
These issues have led to the quiet disappearance of the rare giant salmon carp.
This fish has been shrouded in mystery since it was officially named in 1991. Scientists say fewer than 30 individuals have been documented, making it an extremely rare species.
Researchers still know little about how many giant salmon carps exist or where these populations reside.
“This fish is an indicator of river health because it’s a large fish, it’s vulnerable,” said Hogan.
Scientists note that the discovery of one individual offers little hope; much more needs to be done to preserve the Mekong's biodiversity.
Human projects such as hydropower dams and sand mining have further degraded the habitats of marine animals and disrupted the lives of more than 1,100 fish species inhabiting the Mekong, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
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