Accounting for Non-native Freshwater Fish in the Mekong River: Towards a Better Understanding for Management

Figure 2. (A) Zonal distribution of fish species presence (N = number of species reported; nn = number of non-native species reported in catches) and (B) percentage contribution of different fish guilds by weight to catch in different ecological zones (values in Zones 1–8 are based on MRC catch monitoring surveys 2018–2022) (updated from Cowx et al. Citation2025).

New research led and funded by the IUCN FFSG finds approximately 7% of fish species recorded in the Mekong to be non-native. Totalling 107, these non-native fishes mostly originate from aquaculture and the aquarium trade and add an additional threat to the many already faced by the Mekong’s native fishes. The report recommends continuous monitoring of the spread of non-natives and their introduction pathways, and regional management measures to remediate any pending threats to biodiversity and fisheries: Full article: Accounting for Non-native Freshwater Fish in the Mekong River: Towards a Better Understanding for Management

Cowx, I. G., Lai, Q. T., Vu, A. V., Tao, J., Sukumasavin, N., Phouthavong, K., … Hughes, K. (2026). Accounting for Non-native Freshwater Fish in the Mekong River: Towards a Better Understanding for Management. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2026.2636521