Wetlands International is thrilled to announce a significant strategic partnership with SHOAL, a dynamic global collective dedicated to the preservation of Earth’s vital freshwater habitats and the critically endangered species they support. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to address the escalating biodiversity crisis impacting freshwater ecosystems worldwide, which are suffering from decades of neglect and are now at the forefront of species extinction.
The announcement, made on March 17, 2026, underscores Wetlands International’s long-held conviction that effective wetland conservation hinges on robust, multifaceted partnerships. This philosophy extends from grassroots collaborations with local communities and Indigenous Peoples to high-level global alliances aimed at elevating awareness, influencing policy, and accelerating tangible action for people, nature, and climate. The alliance with SHOAL, an organization renowned for its innovative approach to coordinating and catalyzing conservation efforts, represents a powerful synergy of expertise and reach.
A Critical Juncture for Freshwater Ecosystems
Freshwater environments, encompassing rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater systems, are the lifeblood of our planet, supporting an astonishing array of biodiversity and providing essential services to billions of people. Despite their crucial importance, these ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats. Decades of unsustainable development, pollution, habitat destruction, and the impacts of climate change have pushed thousands of freshwater species to the brink of extinction. Scientific data paints a grim picture: freshwater fish and amphibians are now among the most threatened vertebrate groups globally. The Living Planet Report 2022 by WWF, for instance, highlighted a staggering 83% average decline in freshwater species populations between 1970 and 2016, a rate far exceeding that of terrestrial or marine environments.
This dire situation necessitates ambitious and collaborative conservation strategies. The partnership between Wetlands International and SHOAL is strategically designed to confront this challenge head-on, aiming to not only prevent further extinctions but also to restore these vital ecosystems. The rationale is clear: the conservation of highly threatened freshwater species is intrinsically linked to improving water quality, enhancing human health, and bolstering ecosystem services that benefit the broader environment. Furthermore, these efforts are crucial for ensuring food security for the millions who rely on freshwater fish as a primary source of protein.
Synergistic Strengths for Accelerated Impact
SHOAL operates as a global ecosystem of partners and collaborators, fostering a unified front to protect freshwater life. Their model is built on mobilizing, coordinating, and catalyzing collective action to escalate and accelerate conservation initiatives for freshwater species, their habitats, and the communities that depend on them.
Wetlands International brings to this partnership its extensive global network, cultivated over decades of dedicated work in protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems. Their ongoing initiatives span a wide spectrum, from critical dam and barrier removal projects in Europe, aimed at restoring river connectivity, to advancing water governance frameworks in Ethiopia, and supporting alternative sustainable livelihood programs in Latin America. This deep-rooted experience and broad geographical footprint are invaluable assets in the collaborative effort.
Under the new strategic partnership, Wetlands International and SHOAL will focus on several key areas:
- Escalating and accelerating action for threatened freshwater species: This will involve targeted interventions to protect critically endangered species, often through habitat restoration and the implementation of species-specific conservation plans.
- Enhancing freshwater ecosystem resilience: Efforts will be directed towards restoring the ecological integrity of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, making them more robust in the face of environmental changes.
- Strengthening freshwater governance and policy: The partnership will advocate for and support the development and implementation of effective policies and management practices for freshwater resources at local, national, and international levels.
- Mobilizing and coordinating the global freshwater conservation community: By leveraging SHOAL’s network and Wetlands International’s reach, the partnership aims to foster greater collaboration and knowledge sharing among conservation organizations, researchers, governments, and local stakeholders.
- Increasing public awareness and engagement: Crucial to long-term success is fostering a greater understanding of the importance of freshwater ecosystems and inspiring public support for their conservation.
A New Strategic Focus on Migratory Freshwater Fish
A significant development emerging from this partnership is Wetlands International’s strategic decision to place a heightened focus on migratory freshwater fish and their "Swimways" for the first time. This reflects a growing understanding of the complex life cycles of these species and their dependence on interconnected river systems, which often span multiple countries and habitats. The partnership with SHOAL is considered a key enabler of this new strategic priority, providing the necessary collaborative framework to address the multifaceted challenges faced by these migratory species.
Coenraad Krijger, CEO of Wetlands International, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "We are proud to partner with SHOAL to accelerate global efforts to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems and the astonishing biodiversity within them. We’ve already joined forces on publications such as Africa’s Forgotten Fishes and are looking forward to ramping up our collaboration to deliver greater impact together." He further elaborated on the strategic shift, noting, "Under our new strategy, Wetlands International will focus strategically on migratory freshwater fish and their Swimways for the first time. Our new partnership with SHOAL is a key step towards delivering on this priority. Together, we can do far more to save threatened freshwater species and safeguard their freshwater wetlands – wetlands that underpin societies and economies."
This emphasis on migratory species acknowledges that effective conservation requires a holistic, landscape-level approach. It recognizes that barriers to migration, such as dams and pollution, can have devastating impacts on entire populations, even if individual habitats are otherwise healthy.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The implications of this strategic alliance are far-reaching. By uniting the strengths of Wetlands International and SHOAL, the partnership is poised to significantly amplify conservation impact. The collaborative approach is expected to:
- Accelerate the recovery of threatened freshwater species: Through coordinated conservation actions, the partnership aims to reverse the decline of critically endangered freshwater fauna.
- Enhance water security and quality: Healthy freshwater ecosystems are vital for providing clean drinking water, supporting agriculture, and mitigating floods and droughts. Conservation efforts will contribute to these essential services.
- Strengthen community livelihoods: Many communities depend directly on freshwater resources for food, income, and cultural practices. Restoring these ecosystems will ensure their long-term sustainability.
- Contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation: Wetlands play a crucial role in regulating water cycles and storing carbon. Their protection and restoration are therefore essential components of climate action.
- Foster a more cohesive and effective global conservation movement: By bringing together diverse actors under a unified vision, the partnership can drive greater efficiency and innovation in freshwater conservation.
The partnership also signals a growing recognition within the conservation community of the urgent need for interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration. The complex nature of freshwater challenges demands integrated solutions that address ecological, social, and economic dimensions.
Wetlands International’s commitment to scaling up its work on rivers, lakes, and peatlands from site-level actions to landscape-level approaches, and from influencing global forums to supporting initiatives like the Freshwater Challenge and Peatland Breakthrough, aligns perfectly with SHOAL’s mission. The sentiment expressed, "We firmly believe that the bigger and broader the SHOAL, the stronger it becomes, and the greater our shared impact will be," encapsulates the ambitious yet collaborative spirit driving this vital partnership.
As the world grapples with the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, the alliance between Wetlands International and SHOAL offers a beacon of hope for the future of freshwater ecosystems and the countless species, including humans, that depend on them. The coming years will undoubtedly see intensified efforts to translate this strategic vision into tangible, impactful conservation outcomes across the globe.