第2474期:Fish Thought to Have Disappeared Found in Mekong River

Researchers say a large fish that was thought to have disappeared from Asia’s Mekong River has been seen in the waterway in recent years.

研究人员表示，一种被认为从亚洲湄公河消失的大型鱼类近年来在该水道中被发现。

The fish is called a giant salmon carp. A recent study detailed the most recent sightings of the fish. The lead writer of that study said the fish was seen at least three times between 2020 and 2023.

这种鱼被称为巨型鲑鱼。最近的一项研究详细介绍了最近看到的这种鱼。该研究的主要作者表示，这种鱼在 2020 年至 2023 年间至少出现过 3 次。

The predatory fish can grow to more than one meter in length and has an identifiable yellow spot surrounding its large eyes.

这种掠食性鱼类可以长到一米多长，大眼睛周围有一个可识别的黄色斑点。

The Mekong River is Southeast Asia’s longest river. It passes through China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. About 60 million people depend on the river for food and survival. It is also an important environment for numerous river creatures.

湄公河是东南亚最长的河流。途经中国、老挝、泰国、缅甸、柬埔寨、越南。大约 6000 万人依赖这条河获取食物和生存。它也是众多河流生物的重要环境。

The leader of the research was Chheana Chhut. He is with the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “The giant salmon carp is like a symbol of the Mekong region,” Chheana recently told The Associated Press.

这项研究的领导者是 Chheana Chhut。他在柬埔寨金边的内陆渔业研究与发展研究所工作。“巨型鲑鱼就像湄公河地区的象征，”切阿纳最近告诉美联社。

He was the co-writer with other researchers of a study announcing the findings in the publication Biological Conservation. Chheana said researchers had believed that the last confirmed sighting of the fish in the Mekong was in 2005.

他与其他研究人员共同撰写了一项研究，并在《生物保护》杂志上公布了研究结果。Chheana 表示，研究人员认为最后一次确认在湄公河中发现这种鱼是在 2005 年。

But since 2017, biologists following the movements of migratory fish in Cambodia developed relationships with local fishing communities. They asked people in the communities to inform them of any unusual sightings.

但自 2017 年以来，追踪柬埔寨洄游鱼类活动的生物学家与当地渔业社区建立了关系。他们要求社区里的人们告知他们任何异常的目击事件。

That process led to the finding that three giant salmon carp were identified in the Mekong River and a neighboring waterway in Cambodia between 2020 and 2023.

这一过程导致发现 2020 年至 2023 年间在湄公河和柬埔寨邻近水道中发现了 3 条巨型鲑鱼。

Bunyeth Chan is a researcher at Cambodia’s Svay Rieng University. He helped lead the research. Bunyeth told the AP, “I was really surprised and excited to see the real fish for the first time.”

Bunyeth Chan 是柬埔寨柴桢大学的研究员。他帮助领导了这项研究。班尼斯告诉美联社，“第一次看到真正的鱼，我感到非常惊讶和兴奋。

” Researchers say the sightings give them new hope for the future of the species. Another name used for the species is “ghost fish.”

研究人员表示，这些目击事件给他们对该物种的未来带来了新的希望。该物种的另一个名称是“幽灵鱼”。

“This rediscovery is very exciting, positive news,” said Zeb Hogan. He is a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was part of the research team.

“这一重新发现是非常令人兴奋的积极消息，”泽布·霍根说。他是内华达大学里诺分校的鱼类生物学家，也是该研究小组的成员。

But the problems the fish experienced also demonstrate the dangers facing all migratory species in the Mekong. The huge river faces industrial pollution and overfishing, among other problems.

但鱼类所经历的问题也表明了湄公河所有迁徙物种所面临的危险。这条大河面临着工业污染和过度捕捞等问题。

Brian Eyler is director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. He was was not involved in the research. Eyler said one issue is that more than 700 dams are built along the river and neighboring waterways. In addition, there are very few workable “fish passages” that help species avoid obstructions.

布莱恩·艾勒是华盛顿特区史汀生中心东南亚项目主任。他没有参与这项研究。艾勒说，一个问题是沿河和邻近水道修建了 700 多座水坝。此外，能够帮助物种避开障碍物的可行“鱼道”非常少。

The Greater Mekong area includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

大湄公河地区包括越南、柬埔寨、老挝、泰国和缅甸。

The researchers said they hope that cooperation with local communities in Thailand and Laos will permit them to confirm whether the fish also still swims in other parts of the Mekong.

研究人员表示，他们希望与泰国和老挝当地社区的合作能够让他们确认这种鱼是否仍然在湄公河的其他地区游泳。