Environment

Prevention, the key to saving endemic fish species in Portugal

Lisbon, Apr 1 (EFE), (Camera: EFE).- Water scarcity, sport fishing, reservoirs... These are only some of the factors that threaten 60% of the native fish species in the rivers of Portugal, a recently published guide warns. The first guide for freshwater fish and migrants from mainland Portugal claims the importance of prevention to avoid the extinction of these species. SOUNDBITES OF FELIPE RIBEIRO, CO-AUTHOR OF THE GUIDE, RESEARCHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LISBON AND MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PROJECT LIFE INVASAQUA: 1.- "The are several causes that led to the extinction of fish, mainly the loss of habitat due to the construction of reservoirs and river channelling. The second cause is invasive alien species, which are predators, they have led to the extinction of some of these native species, or they are also species that are great competitors for food resources." 2.- "Then there are other threats that are increasingly common in the Iberian context that have to do with the overexploitation of water and water resources. Rivers are transboundary, animals and plants know no borders and any action taken in Spain it must also be accompanied in Portugal. It is important to see here a joint and coordinated action between the two countries because otherwise, we will be spending resources ineffectively." 3.- "What I think is most important as a society is to realize that we have many fishes and much of the fauna and flora that live in the rivers of Portugal and Spain is endemic. And that is our only responsibility, of the Iberian villages, to preserve them for future generations. They are fish or animals, from millions of years ago, which are endemic. It is our responsibility to preserve them for future generations."