Blog: The SHOAL alliance of Zoos and Aquaria for freshwater species conservation

Michael Edmondstone, Communications and Engagement Lead for SHOAL, writes about combining efforts to preserve diminishing habitats:

Freshwater ecosystems – lakes, rivers, wetlands, aquifers and ponds – are the lifeblood of our planet, sustaining an incredible diversity of species and providing vital services to human communities. But multiple manmade threats such as pollution, climate change, sandmining, river fragmentation, invasive species and overfishing are pushing many freshwater species to the brink of extinction.

Freshwater fish are suffering greatly from these threats, particularly as they have been neglected for so long in the conservation sector. With one in three globally threatened with extinction, freshwater fish species compete with amphibians for the unwanted title of ‘most threatened vertebrate group.'

SHOAL, launched in 2019, is a collaborative initiative that brings together a powerful network of diverse partners, including conservation organisations, researchers, policymakers, and local communities, to direct much needed attention and mobilise vital conservation action to the species and habitats in most need.

Alongside partners from the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, SHOAL have developed a list of priority areas where the biggest conservation impact is possible. These areas include Mexico, the Rift Valley Lakes of East Africa, India’s Western Ghats and Southeast Asia. They are also developing programmes in Europe and have a future focus of the Amazon and Congo River basins.

SHOAL also works closely with BIAZA members Chester Zoo on planning and delivering conservation, and the Bristol Zoological Society on creating The Freshwater Inspire Network (The FIN), a collective of communicators, creatives and conservationists focused on raising the profile of freshwater species conservation. 

By 2032, SHOAL aims to have mobilised impactful conservation attention for 1000 priority fish species. You can read more about SHOAL’s achievements to date and plans for the coming years in the Phase One report, available here.

Towards the end of 2023, SHOAL reached out to several zoos and aquaria around the world to collaborate as part of a network focused on raising awareness and vital funding for freshwaters. The SHOAL Alliance of Zoos and Aquaria for freshwater species conservation is a commitment by a coalition of zoos and aquaria to support SHOAL’s mission by working together to:

• Raise awareness of the beauty, richness and fragility of freshwater species and habitat, and INSPIRE engagement, support, and action.
• Establish and collaborate on a captive breeding programme for freshwater species.
• Provide technical support and build capacity for global partners acting to halt freshwater extinctions.
• Support a pooled fund, managed by SHOAL, with USD 1,500 per year to facilitate direct freshwater conservation action across the world where it is most needed.

A number of institutions haven already signed up, including in North America and Singapore. SHOAL invites any reputable public zoos and aquaria to join the Alliance. To join, each member will sign a simple agreement and commit to the four actions listed above.

SHOAL will acknowledge the commitment, provide materials to promote and display membership of the Alliance, work with each partner to maximise their contribution, and open their portfolio of projects for participation by Alliance members.

We would love to hear from you. Get in touch with me at [email protected] to learn more about how you can catalyse greater impact for global freshwater species conservation!

- Michael Edmondstone he/him, Communications and Engagement Lead, SHOAL

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's positions.