Freshwater Giants and Conservation Challenges

Biologist Zeb Hogan explores the challenges facing the Chinese sturgeon, one of the world's largest freshwater fish, in the Yangtze River. The species is threatened by pollution, boat traffic, and dams. Hogan leads the Mega Fishes Project to document giant fish species worldwide. Conservationists, like Wei Qi, are racing to save the sturgeon through breeding programs. However, the Chinese paddlefish may already be extinct, with no sightings since 2003. Efforts to rescue the paddlefish have been unsuccessful, highlighting the urgent need for conservation.

What is one of the main threats to the Chinese sturgeon in the Yangtze River?

• Pollution and boat traffic

• Overfishing

• Climate change

• Invasive species

What is the goal of the National Geographic Society's Mega Fishes Project?

• To document the status of giant fish species

• To increase fish population

• To build new dams

• To promote fishing activities

How do dams affect the Chinese sturgeon?

• They reduce water pollution

• They increase food supply

• They block migration routes

• They provide new habitats

What percentage of larvae survive in the breeding program for Chinese sturgeon?

• 80%

• 70%

• 60%

• 50%

What is the main focus of the breeding program for the Chinese sturgeon?

• To increase fish migration

• To create new species

• To enhance sturgeon stock

• To reduce fish size

What happened to the last known Chinese paddlefish captured in the wild?

• It was successfully rehabilitated

• It was released back into the wild

• It died in captivity

• It was relocated to a new habitat

How long can the Chinese paddlefish reportedly grow?

• 16 feet

• 20 feet

• 23 feet

• 25 feet

What is the current status of the Chinese paddlefish?

• Thriving in the wild

• Endangered but stable

• Possibly extinct

• Increasing in numbers

What equipment was used in the search for the Chinese paddlefish?

• Sonar devices

• A research vessel with a tank and crane

• Underwater cameras

• Fishing nets

What is the main reason for the decline of the Chinese paddlefish?

• Pollution

• Boat injuries and habitat loss

• Climate change

• Overfishing