A massive fish species believed to be extinct has reemerged in the Mekong River, offering a glimmer of hope for biologists and conservationists. The giant salmon carp, a predatory fish known for its distinctive knobbed lower jaw and bright yellow eye patch, was spotted three times in recent years, with the most recent sighting in 2023.
This rediscovery marks the first confirmed appearance of the species since 2005, sparking excitement among researchers tracking fish populations in Southeast Asia. “The giant salmon carp is like a symbol of the Mekong region,” remarked Chheana Chhut, a researcher at the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Chhut co-authored a study documenting these sightings, published in Biological Conservation.
Biologists have been working with local fishing communities in Cambodia since 2017, asking them to report any unusual catches. This collaboration led to the discovery of three giant salmon carp between 2020 and 2023, caught in the Mekong River and one of its tributaries.
“I was really surprised and excited to see the real fish for the first time,” said Bunyeth Chan, a co-author of the study and researcher at Svay Rieng University in Cambodia.
Nicknamed the “ghost fish,” the giant salmon carp’s rediscovery has brought renewed optimism for its survival, but it also highlights the challenges that migratory species face in the Mekong River. Industrial pollution, overfishing, and the construction of over 700 dams along the river have severely impacted fish migration. “There are very few functional ‘fish passages’ to help species navigate obstructions,” noted Brian Eyler, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.
Researchers now hope to extend their work to local communities in Thailand and Laos, aiming to determine whether the giant salmon carp still swims in other parts of the Mekong. “This rediscovery is very exciting, positive news,” said Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist from the University of Nevada, Reno, who was part of the research team. However, the fate of the species remains uncertain as environmental threats to the Mekong region continue to grow.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
