Let's Safeguard Migratory Fish
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt Bagrus bayad, Brycinus nurse, Clarotes laticeps, Hydrocynus forskali, Protopterus anZillins and Tilapia zilli. These are not the usual nicknames of some people, but the Baptismal names of some Migratory Fish Species swimming in the Black Volta Basin of Ghana. Yes, these species and their senior or junior sisters, brothers and cousins periodically migrate to: • fulfil their life cycle • access feeding areas • Increase success of reproduction • Boost survival of fish stocks in river systems While most living organisms walk, trek, crawl, float, fly, hop, jump, and match others swim in seasonal waters, rivers and streams. According to the 2020 Living Planet Index (LPI) for Migratory Freshwater Fish, there is in 76% average decline in these fishes migrating. And some of the fish species are endangered along their migratory routes. There are indications that the migratory fish that visits the 1,352 km Black Volta river, has declined. Researcher