Africa's freshwater fish risk extinction, says study

Dar es Salaam. A new report released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has raised the alarm over the future of Africa’s freshwater fish, revealing that one in every four species assessed is now threatened with extinction.

The report, Africa’s Forgotten Fishes, comes ahead of the Ramsar COP15 international wetlands conference, set to take place in Zimbabwe later this month.

Countries are expected to use the forum to chart a new course for restoring freshwater ecosystems across the continent.

According to the report, 26 percent of assessed freshwater fish species in Africa are at risk, with experts warning that the actual figure could be higher due to data gaps.

The continent is home to more than 3,200 freshwater fish species, with 28 newly discovered this year alone.

Tanzania, alongside Uganda, ranks among the world’s top ten inland fish producers, largely due to Lake Victoria, which supports the livelihoods of millions.

But scientists warn that this crucial resource is increasingly under threat from pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.

“Africa is not just rich in freshwater biodiversity; it’s also a hotspot for risk,” said WWF Africa’s freshwater lead, Mr Eric Oyare.

“When these species vanish, communities lose food, income, cultural heritage, and natural climate buffers,” he added.

Among the report’s most striking findings are fish population declines of up to 90 percent in the Zambezi floodplain and a 94 percent drop in Lake Malawi’s once-abundant chambo tilapia—a species so vital that it features on the Malawian currency.

Freshwater fish play a key role in maintaining the health of rivers and lakes, serving as predators, herbivores, and nutrient recyclers. They are also crucial to the economies and diets of millions across rural Africa.

In Tanzania, many rural communities depend on fish as a primary source of protein and income, particularly in lake regions such as Mwanza, Kigoma, and Rukwa.

But increasing use of illegal fishing gear, land degradation, and climate-related disruptions are putting this lifeline at risk.

The WWF report outlines a six-point Emergency Recovery Plan, urging African governments to restore more natural river flows, improve water quality, and protect critical habitats and species.

It also calls for an end to unsustainable fishing practices, better control of invasive species, and the removal of barriers to restore free-flowing rivers.

Conservation experts say the solutions are within reach. Community-led models in Tanzania and neighbouring countries are already showing promise by protecting breeding zones and promoting sustainable fishing.

“The disappearance of freshwater fish is not just an environmental issue—it’s a direct threat to food security and cultural identity,” said Africa Freshwater Manager at The Nature Conservancy Machaya Chomba.

As Ramsar COP15 approaches, WWF is urging Tanzania and other African nations to adopt the recovery plan and commit to global frameworks, including the Freshwater Challenge and the 30x30 inland waters target under the Global Biodiversity Framework.