Large Fish Thought to Have Disappeared Found in Mekong River
2024-11-01
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1Researchers say a large fish that was thought to have disappeared from Asia's Mekong River has been seen in the waterway in recent years.
2The fish is called a giant salmon carp.
3A recent study detailed the most recent sightings of the fish.
4The lead writer of that study said the fish was seen at least three times between 2020 and 2023.
5The predatory fish can grow to more than one meter in length and has an identifiable yellow spot surrounding its large eyes.
6The Mekong River is Southeast Asia's longest river.
7It passes through China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
8About 60 million people depend on the river for food and survival.
9It is also an important environment for numerous river creatures.
10The leader of the research was Chheana Chhut. He is with the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
11"The giant salmon carp is like a symbol of the Mekong region," Chheana recently told The Associated Press.
12He was the co-writer with other researchers of a study announcing the findings in the publication Biological Conservation.
13Chheana said researchers had believed that the last confirmed sighting of the fish in the Mekong was in 2005.
14But since 2017, biologists following the movements of migratory fish in Cambodia developed relationships with local fishing communities.
15They asked people in the communities to inform them of any unusual sightings.
16That process led to the finding that three giant salmon carp were identified in the Mekong River and a neighboring waterway in Cambodia between 2020 and 2023.
17Bunyeth Chan is a researcher at Cambodia's Svay Rieng University.
18He helped lead the research.
19Bunyeth told the AP, "I was really surprised and excited to see the real fish for the first time."
20Researchers say the sightings give them new hope for the future of the species.
21Another name used for the species is "ghost fish."
22"This rediscovery is very exciting, positive news," said Zeb Hogan.
23He is a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was part of the research team.
24But the problems the fish experienced also demonstrate the dangers facing all migratory species in the Mekong.
25The huge river faces industrial pollution and overfishing, among other problems.
26Brian Eyler is director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.
27He was was not involved in the research.
28Eyler said one issue is that more than 700 dams are built along the river and neighboring waterways.
29In addition, there are very few workable "fish passages" that help species avoid obstructions.
30The Greater Mekong area includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
31The researchers said they hope that cooperation with local communities in Thailand and Laos will permit them to confirm whether the fish also still swims in other parts of the Mekong.
32I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Researchers say a large fish that was thought to have disappeared from Asia's Mekong River has been seen in the waterway in recent years. 2The fish is called a giant salmon carp. A recent study detailed the most recent sightings of the fish. The lead writer of that study said the fish was seen at least three times between 2020 and 2023. 3The predatory fish can grow to more than one meter in length and has an identifiable yellow spot surrounding its large eyes. 4The Mekong River is Southeast Asia's longest river. It passes through China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. About 60 million people depend on the river for food and survival. It is also an important environment for numerous river creatures. 5The leader of the research was Chheana Chhut. He is with the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. "The giant salmon carp is like a symbol of the Mekong region," Chheana recently told The Associated Press. 6He was the co-writer with other researchers of a study announcing the findings in the publication Biological Conservation. Chheana said researchers had believed that the last confirmed sighting of the fish in the Mekong was in 2005. 7But since 2017, biologists following the movements of migratory fish in Cambodia developed relationships with local fishing communities. They asked people in the communities to inform them of any unusual sightings. 8That process led to the finding that three giant salmon carp were identified in the Mekong River and a neighboring waterway in Cambodia between 2020 and 2023. 9Bunyeth Chan is a researcher at Cambodia's Svay Rieng University. He helped lead the research. Bunyeth told the AP, "I was really surprised and excited to see the real fish for the first time." 10Researchers say the sightings give them new hope for the future of the species. Another name used for the species is "ghost fish." 11"This rediscovery is very exciting, positive news," said Zeb Hogan. He is a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was part of the research team. 12But the problems the fish experienced also demonstrate the dangers facing all migratory species in the Mekong. The huge river faces industrial pollution and overfishing, among other problems. 13Brian Eyler is director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. He was was not involved in the research. Eyler said one issue is that more than 700 dams are built along the river and neighboring waterways. In addition, there are very few workable "fish passages" that help species avoid obstructions. 14The Greater Mekong area includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. 15The researchers said they hope that cooperation with local communities in Thailand and Laos will permit them to confirm whether the fish also still swims in other parts of the Mekong. 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 18__________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20predatory - adj. a predatory animal kills and eats other animals 21symbol - n. a sign or objected used to represent something 22species - n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants 23positive - adj. something good 24obstruction - n. something that blocks something or someone from being able to do something