The tenth Iberian Congress of Ichthyology comes to an end with the challenge of creating closer ties between researchers and government

Increasing working synergies between academia and government agencies is one of the main challenges that the experts discussed at the tenth Iberian Congress of Ichthyology, organised by the Iberian Society of Ichthyology (SIBIC), the Mediterranean Rivers Studies Centre (CERM) and the Aquatic Ecology research group at the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC). Although some research centres and groups work with government organisations on applied projects for the restoration and assessment of aquatic habitats, the congress highlighted the need for greater interaction between the research staff and the competent bodies - administrations, managers, companies, hydrographic federations, etc. - which are responsible for implementing measures for improvement. "As a scientific community, we also face the challenge of searching for them," says Lluís Benejam, a researcher in the Aquatic Ecology research group at UVic-UCC.

"There is a lot of information available about the situation of freshwater and sea fish, but the people who need to take action are generally not there, or there are still not enough of them," say the experts. Given the value of Iberian ichthyology, "the administrations must get their act together and take action; the diagnosis is very thorough, but there is a lack of action on the part of the administrative bodies, because there are many unique species that are in danger of disappearing," explains Benejam.

Anna Sanitjas, the Director General of Forests and Environmental Management of the Government of Catalonia, emphasised during the opening of the congress that in recent years "river ecosystems are those that have lost the most biodiversity," and as such, "we need the scientific community to make the right decisions."

Invasive species and lack of river connectivity

With the theme "Fishes for Future", the congress, which took place from 18 to 21 June, showed that one of the major problems that needs to be addressed is the growing presence of invasive or non-native aquatic species. There are 32 native fish species in the rivers of Catalonia and 70 in the Iberian Peninsula, while the invasive species that have taken root in Catalonia are at least 24 and in the Iberian Peninsula, they number more than 30. According to Marc Ordeix, director of the CERM, "80% of the Iberian species are endemic, or in other words, they are only found here and are not in the rest of the world." 

Another factor to take into account is that "80% of native river species in Catalonia have a conservation problem, and in the Iberian Peninsula the figure is 67%." Meanwhile, sea species are also experiencing conservation problems. "Sharks and rays are suffering from overfishing and rising sea temperatures, in both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean," points out Ordeix.

One of the reasons for the growing presence of invasive species, which takes place involuntarily, is that they take advantage of changes in environments and poor physical and chemical water quality, and are more resistant to them. Another reason is that people want to fish for foreign fish species in Catalonia's rivers, attracted by what they see in magazines and documentaries.

Another issue that was also discussed at the congress was the lack of ecological connectivity in rivers, especially as a result of hydraulic infrastructures, such as dams, locks, fords and bridge foundations, among other factors. This lack of connectivity not only prevents fish species from being able to move freely, but also from reproducing.

In the opening plenary session of the congress, Teresa Ferreira, a professor at the University of Lisbon, discussed the effects of anthropogenic pressure on river courses and the general need to restore aquatic habitats in much of Europe. She emphasised the importance of ensuring connectivity between rivers, as "the barriers currently in place have a direct effect on the loss of species."

Research tools and methodology

Among other new features, this year's congress included topics such as freshwater and sea fish, and aquaculture. "The marine sector has an increasing presence at the congresses, unlike a few years ago, when there were very few people attending. We have succeeded in getting it involved, and not just talking about inland waters," points out Ordeix.

Another issue that the tenth Iberian Congress of Ichthyology also highlighted is the latest technical breakthroughs in aquatic research. One of these is the analysis of biodiversity based on environmental DNA. "Based on the remains of the genes in the water, and with proper treatment of the sample, you can find out which species are in an area," explains the director of the CERM. Other techniques include telemetry, marking fish with ultrasound emitters and studies using environmental sound, so that the soundscape under the sea or in a river is studied to find out the state of the water, or to identify the species that live there.

Around seventy papers were presented at the congress, which closes this afternoon. It was attended by 178 people, mostly from the Iberian Peninsula, but also from several other countries around the world. The next edition of this biennial event will take place in the town of Vila Real (Portugal) in 2026. 

Among other new features, this year's congress included topics such as freshwater and sea fish, and aquaculture. "The marine sector has an increasing presence at the congresses, unlike a few years ago, when there were very few people attending. We have succeeded in getting it involved, and not just talking about inland waters," points out Ordeix.

Another issue that the tenth Iberian Congress of Ichthyology also highlighted is the latest technical breakthroughs in aquatic research. One of these is the analysis of biodiversity based on environmental DNA. "Based on the remains of the genes in the water, and with proper treatment of the sample, you can find out which species are in an area," explains the director of the CERM. Other techniques include telemetry, marking fish with ultrasound emitters and studies using environmental sound, so that the soundscape under the sea or in a river is studied to find out the state of the water, or to identify the species that live there.

Around seventy papers were presented at the congress, which closes this afternoon. It was attended by 178 people, mostly from the Iberian Peninsula, but also from several other countries around the world. The next edition of this biennial event will take place in the town of Vila Real (Portugal) in 2026.