skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, July 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

National Weather Service defends its flood warnings amid fresh scrutiny of Trump staff cuts; Poll: Majority of West Virginians support renewable energy policies; MI fellowship trains justice-involved youth as community leaders; Measles outbreak hits central Kentucky.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Deadly Texas floods draw a federal response as the administration reduces emergency and weather services. States prepare to deal with cuts to schools, health care and environmental protections, while Elon Musk launches a new political party.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Farmers may abandon successful conservation programs if federal financial chaos continues, a rural electric cooperative in Southwest Colorado is going independent to shrink customer costs, and LGBTQ+ teens say an online shoulder helps more than community support.

Study shows precipitous drop in US, global migratory fish populations

play audio
Play

Wednesday, May 29, 2024   

A new study shows since 1970, more than 80% of the global populations of freshwater migratory fish have declined significantly. The report calls developments in its Living Planet Index "distressing," and faults habitat loss and degradation. It says factors like river fragmentation due to dams, and agricultural encroachment, account for half of the threats.

Michele Thieme, deputy director of freshwater for the World Wildlife Fund, monitors freshwater species, and said though the trend is heading downward, there are efforts underway to save these species.

"On average, we've seen freshwater migratory fish populations in North America decline by 34% since 1970. This is a little bit lower within what we're seeing globally, but it's still not a good number," she said.

The Index follows more than 1,800 populations of 284 native, migratory freshwater fish species from around the world. Thieme said these fish often make the difference in food security and nutrition for vulnerable communities, while supporting the livelihoods of millions in local and recreational fishing industries and global trade.

Thieme added despite the bad news, she is heartened by efforts to reverse the trend. Last month during Earth Week, state, Tribal and local leaders from across the country gathered for a White House Water Summit. At the event, the Biden Administration announced a Freshwater Challenge, part of its America the Beautiful initiative to conserve and restore America's rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands.

"We're very excited that the U.S. government has taken such a leadership role in setting the specific target of restoration of rivers and other freshwater habitats. That's really going to be critical for time, for the populations of freshwater species to rebound," Thieme said.

Thieme added more than 100 inaugural members - including her organization - have signed on to support freshwater restoration in communities in seven states, with eight Native nations and 24 local governments.

Disclosure: World Wildlife Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Environment, Public Lands/Wilderness. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
In addition to affecting hospice services, the new federal budget is estimated to significantly increase health care costs for more than 1 million low-income Medicare enrollees. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A former Wisconsin mayor said the new federal budget will only worsen the current aging crisis families like hers have already been facing. Analysis …


Environment

play sound

Tributes and memorials are pouring in for victims of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The storm stalled over the Texas …

Social Issues

play sound

While cuts to food support programs and Medicaid gained attention as the debate over the budget bill went on, there is also a long-term likelihood it …


The federal government has not released a timeline for disbursing $6.8 billion in grants to school districts nationwide. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Panic has set in at school districts across the Golden State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Tony Thurmond…

play sound

A controversial bill on how best to clean up the air at California ports gets a hearing today in Sacramento. Senate Bill 34 would place limits on …

Social Issues

play sound

Now that President Donald Trump's big budget bill has been signed into law, Arkansas nonprofits that rely on federal funding to help people in need …

Social Issues

play sound

Oregon lawmakers would have to find an extra $850 million in the state budget starting in 2028 to cover cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021