National Geographic Megafishes Project

A Worldwide Effort to Protect the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

Aug 12, 2008

The National Geographic Society's project to tag and study at least 20 species of large freshwater fish is intended to raise awareness of potential extinction.

Launched in early 2007, this joint project of the National Geographic Society and the World Wildlife Fund plans to visit 14 freshwater systems including World Heritage Sites and United Nations Environment Program Biodiversity Hotspots.

The Megafishes Project will involve more than a hundred scientists in 17 different countries. All giant freshwater fish included in this study must be at least six and a half feet long and weigh a minimum of 220 pounds. The fish are not killed but they are tagged and released back into the water.

Purpose of the Megafishes Project

The purpose of the project is to raise awareness about the fragile ecological status of the world’s rivers. This will be achieved by gathering information on the life history of the fish, where it lives, the current population and what is threatening its existence.

The Megafishes Project wants to educate world leaders and the public on the conservation of freshwater fish. This project will also enhance previous studies on some of the species included in the study.

About Megafishes Project Leader Dr. Zeb Hogan

Zeb Hogan attended the University of Arizona where he earned an undergraduate degree in ecology and evolutionary biology. He participated in the Environmental Risk Assessment Program at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand. Upon his return to the U.S., Zeb obtained his doctorate in ecology from the University of California. He is now a fellow at the University of Wisconsin and the World Wildlife Fund.

In his biography at the National Geographic Society website, Zeb Hogan states, "Freshwater biodiversity conservation—including animals like the Mekong catfish, river dolphins, and otters—is every bit as important as the protection of animals like tigers and whales, perhaps more so. Let's strive to protect fresh waters the same way that we care for rain forest and coral reefs."

Progress of the Megafishes Project

During the pilot year of 2006, the team visited Cambodia, Thailand and Mongolia.

The Megafishes Project team has helped the Cambodian Department of Fisheries and the Mekong Wetland Biodiversity Program to create one of the world’s first freshwater conservation areas in the Tonle Sap River.

In this area, some of the world’s largest freshwater fish are found, such as the Giant Barb and the Giant Stingray.

In addition, Zeb Hogan helped produce a children’s book with an organization called Save Cambodia’s Wildlife.

The Megafish Project team set up a network of over 24 fishermen to help track the giant fish of the Mekong in the Golden Triangle of northern Thailand. This network is responsible for searching for spawning grounds and investigating the fish habitat.

In honor of the king of Thailand's 60th anniversary, the Megafishes Project team bought a Mekong Giant Catfish and then tagged and released it.

A net buy-back plan was instituted whereby fishermen from Chiang Khong agreed to stop fishing for giant catfish and sold their nets.

The Megafishes Project team has partnered with the Taimen Conservation Fund plus recreational fisherman and university teams in order to save the endangered Hucho Taimen, a giant Eurasian trout.

Scientists are studying the Taimen for the purpose of setting up catch and release fishing zones. The intent is to have these zones managed locally and generate income through this program.

So far, the Megafishes Project has been a success and hopefully it will continue to encourage conservation of endangered fish.

The copyright of the article National Geographic Megafishes Project in Freshwater Fish is owned by Douglas DuHamel. Permission to republish National Geographic Megafishes Project in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.