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Living Treasure: Jullien's Golden Carp
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The Mekong River is home to many imperiled living treasures: unique fish species of great cultural, economic, and conservation value that are now endangered. The Jullien's Golden Carp (Probarbus jullieni) and its cousin the Thicklipped Barb (Probarbus labeamajor) are some of the largest freshwater fishes in Southeast Asia, and are both listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Though these fishes were once found throughout Southeast Asia, the Mekong basin is the last remaining location of relatively robust populations. Jullien's Golden Carp were reported as "extremely abundant" in the Mekong as recently as 1989, but both species are believed to have declined by more than 50% throughout their ranges (Baird 2011, Hogan and Baird 2011). Historical reports tell of these fishes reaching a hefty 60 kg (132 pounds); however, individuals caught in recent years weigh in closer to 20 kg (44 pounds) (Hogan and Baird 2011).
 A number of factors have likely contributed to these fishes' decline, including alterations to their freshwater habitat and increased gill net fishing. Despite their international conservation status, demand for these favorite food fishes remains high: their large size and succulent flesh make them highly sought after. While fishers catch individuals of all sizes, the larger bodied specimens are the most commercially valuable, and egg-bearing females fetch the highest prices at market. Because of the higher value of breeding fish, fishers in northern Lao PDR target the spawning areas of these fishes during the December-February spawning season, using large-mesh gill nets designed to catch Probarbus species. Harvesting fish before they can reproduce has had devastating effects on their populations. Dams pose another concern, as they may impede movement to spawning grounds. Adult fish need deep pool habitats, but cannot reproduce in reservoirs (Baird 2006).
In addition to their IUCN Red List endangered classification, both species of Probarbus are ostensibly protected under Lao fisheries law, which allows for local consumption of the species outside of their spawning season, but prohibits their sale (Baird 2006). Despite this, large individuals of both species are regularly seen in markets in district and provincial capitals. FISHBIO staff observed Jullien's Golden Carp for sale in Lao PDR at a large market in the capital of Vientiane, as well as at a remote roadside stall while making a field visit to Bolikhamxay province. Of particular concern, we spotted a mature female fish for sale that was ready to lay eggs (top photo). FISHBIO is currently working to advance the study and conservation of Probarbus populations.
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IN THE NEWS: Recent stories you might have missed...
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Empty nets on the Mekong
New York Times
our attempts at fishing in the Mekong River had produced meager results, which was somewhat puzzling because the Mekong produces the largest harvest of freshwater fish in the world, by far. As a father, this was frustrating; catching fish was the top priority of my 10-year old son, Luca, and I was determined that he fulfill that goal. But as a river ecologist, our low success rate had me curious about the status of fish populations in this river... Read more>
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As oceans warm, fish are finding new ZIP codes
Climate Central
 Fish species are shifting their ranges around the world in response to warming oceans, a trend that could have significant economic ramifications globally, a new study found. The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, employs a novel index that creates a fish thermometer of sorts, teasing out evidence of population shifts from fishery catch records during the past four decades. The study is the first to detect climate change-related shifts in the range of fish species... Read more>
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20,210 pages in sneak peek of Delta tunnel plan's EIR
Stockton Record
 A comprehensive environmental review of Gov. Jerry Brown's twin tunnels project was released Friday. And if any electronic document can make a "thud" when it hits your computer, this one did. The review is 20,210 pages long. It will offer the most specific details yet about the project, how it will be built and how it will impact Delta residents. "This is a work in progress," Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin said in a prepared statement... Read more
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Northern pikeminnow reward fishery underway in Columbia River
Seattle Times
It's time to start catching those pesky juvenile salmon- and steelhead-eating northern pikeminnows in the Columbia River, and earn some cash while you do it. The Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Program started this past week, and runs through kicks off Tuesday, May 1 through Sept. 30.
Each year northern pikeminnow eat millions of young salmon and steelhead.
For the past 21 years, the Bonneville Power Association's sport-reward... Read more >
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Fish food fight? Don't count the little guy out
Live Science
When fish fight over food, don't count the little guy out. In hostile situations, a fish's personality - including how aggressive it acts - may matter more than size, according to new research. The researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and Texas A&M University in College Station studied how small fish managed relative to their larger peers when it came time for feeding. They found that small fish that exhibited aggressive. .. Read more >
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season in January when the mango is ready to fruit, many people in the Mekong region rotate their dinner menu from wild fish to ant eggs. This is especially common for people in Lao PDR who depend on natural resources for food. Ant eggs are predominantly found in wetland areas with many trees or shrubs. Local people are experienced at finding ant nests and collecting the eggs, as well as simple ways to protect themselves from ant bites. After finding an ant nest, they first use the tip of a bamboo branch to check the quality of the nest, making sure the eggs are large and numerous enough to harvest, and have not yet developed into larvae. If the harvester approves of the eggs' quality, he or she will hold a bamboo basket or water bucket hanging on a stick and shake the ant's nest until the eggs fall into the basket.