What is World Fish Migration Day?
Global awareness raising event
World Fish Migration Day (WFMD) culminates every two years in a global celebration to create awareness about the importance of migratory fish and free-flowing rivers. This international day of events is coordinated by the World Fish Migration Foundation. On World Fish Migration Day, organizations from around the world coordinate their own event around the common theme of: CONNECTING FISH, RIVERS AND PEOPLE.
Our vision is free flowing rivers full of fish! But how do these rivers look like. Where can you find them? Who depends on these fish and why is it important to have rivers full of fish? This is why this sixth WFMD edition (May 25, 2024) we selected the following theme: FREE FLOW. So on the next WFMD we are not only talking about fish in free-flowing rivers, but also about small water insects, fish eating birds, otters, river dolphins, bears and humans. Let's join up for another amazing event to celebrate our successes and share our challenges.
Read our FAQWhy Celebrate World Fish Migration Day?
Migratory fish are extraordinary.
They travel throughout rivers to fulfil their life cycles, some swimming more than 10,000 km! They navigate using the currents, magnetic fields, even their sense of taste and smell. Billions of people around the world depend on them for food, sport, research and intrigue. However, many migratory fish species are critically endangered or threatened. The main causes are man-made barriers which disrupt the natural flow of rivers and prevent their usual migratory routes. Many fish need to migrate to reproduce, feed and complete their life cycles. Migratory fish are a crucial link in the food chain and play an important role in creating healthy and productive river systems. Furthermore, they provide an important food supply and livelihood for millions of people around the world. They are ecologically, culturally, economically, and recreationally important!
Because of this, we need to ensure the survival of these species for generations to come. However, fishes typically do not receive the attention they deserve. For this reason, it is important we raise awareness about the plight of migratory fishes. Every event hosted for World Fish Migration Day helps to shine light on the issues and brings us one step closer to have rivers full of fish once again.
Read the LPI reportWhat do we want to achieve?
Our goals
The main goal of World Fish Migration Day is raising awareness for migratory fish and the rivers they (and we!) rely on. Creating awareness is an essential first step to make real change. World Fish Migration Day seeks to improve the public's understanding of the importance of migratory fish and how we can reduce our impact on them. The next step is to enable citizens of the world to take action. Ultimately, we aim to create sustainable commitments from NGOs, governments and industry on safeguarding free flowing rivers and restoring swimways for migratory fish!
World Fish Migration Day seeks to do just that. Our goals and ambitions for May 25, 2024 are:
• 600 EVENTS
• 80 COUNTRIES
• 200 MILLION PEOPLE IN GLOBAL REACH
• 100 RIVER OPENING EVENTS
• 2,000 KM OF RIVER RESTORED/PROTECTED
We can’t wait to see what our global community accomplishes this year to increase awareness and help us get closer to the ultimate goal of rivers full of fish! Ready to join?
Find an event near youMore about the World Fish Migration FoundationCoordination
