Cambodian Scientists Astonished by the Discovery of a Fish Thought to be Extinct.
According to Khmer Times, a group of scientists was recently astonished by the discovery of the giant Mekong carp, a species believed to have been extinct for the past 20 years, in the Mekong River.
Specifically, the Mekong Giant Carp (Aaptosyax grypus) was discovered by fishermen near the Sesan II hydroelectric dam in Stung Treng province, the same location where the world record giant freshwater stingray was found.
Dr. Heng Kong, Director of the Cambodia Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, along with Mr. Thach Panara, Director of the laboratory at the same institute under the Fisheries Administration, stated: “Cambodia has over 500 species of freshwater fish, including 58 species protected by law (29 freshwater and 29 saltwater), and more than 100 rare fish species.”
Mr. Panara added: “The last time we saw the giant Mekong carp in the Mekong River was around 2002.” Therefore, this discovery is significant as it indicates that the Mekong River or Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia still serves as a habitat for endangered species, rare fish, and other freshwater fish.
Giant Mekong Carp.
Asia News Network quoted Mr. Panara stating that the giant Mekong carp weighed 6 kg but unfortunately died. However, it remains a valuable resource for research. Scientists will conduct thorough examinations to find clues about this rare fish species.
“We are saddened by the fish’s death, but it is still significant for us as scientists. This may indicate that the giant Mekong carp still inhabits the freshwater waters of Cambodia,” Mr. Panara added.
According to Mr. Panara, samples taken from the fish are currently being tested in the laboratory to determine whether it is a pure giant carp or has undergone genetic modification.
Ms. Chea Seila, Director of the Mekong River Wonders Program, stated that the giant Mekong carp is characterized by its high activity, often preying on smaller fish and residing in the deep pools of the Mekong River in northeastern Cambodia, bordering Laos and central Thailand.
Due to their active hunting behavior, this species is easily caught in fishing nets, and over the past decade, their population is estimated to have declined by more than 90%.
Ms. Seila further added that this species is highly likely to be extinct in Laos and Thailand due to overfishing and the development of hydroelectric dams along the Mekong River impacting their habitat.
“The most recent study conducted in 2017-2018 determined that the giant Mekong carp is extinct in Cambodia and can only be found in very small numbers in Thailand and Laos,” Ms. Seila stated.
However, the latest discovery has sparked new hope for researchers and conservationists.
Ms. Seila mentioned that while the exact location of the giant Mekong carp population in Cambodia has yet to be identified, its capture has proven that this fish still exists and necessitates further collaborative efforts to rediscover this rare species.
The giant Mekong carp can grow up to 130 cm in length and weigh up to 30 kg. It has small scales and a large mouth similar to that of a turtle. Unlike many of its freshwater carp relatives, this species lacks barbels.
