These summary statistics and analyses are based on the European freshwater fishes dataset published in November 2011.

The status of freshwater fishes was assessed at two regional levels: geographical Europe and the EU 27. At the European level, at least 37% of the species are considered as threatened, 12% of them being Critically Endangered, 10% Endangered and 15% Vulnerable. A further 4% of species are classified as Near Threatened.

Within the EU 27, 39% of freshwater fishes are threatened, of which 12% are Critically Endangered, 11% Endangered and 15% Vulnerable. In addition, 4% of species are considered as Near Threatened.

Red List status of freshwater fishes in Europe

Red List status of freshwater fishes in Europe
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Red List status of freshwater fishes in EU 27
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Status by taxonomic group

Europe's freshwater fish species belong to a number of different families, which are varying both in species numbers and in the relative threat status of their species. The most threatened group are the sturgeons. All but one European sturgeon species depend on artificial reproduction and stocking for their survival. Another highly threatened group of species are the Mediterranean killifishes of the Cyprinidontidae family, victims of intensive development of Mediterranean coasts and threatened by invasive alien species; and the European Eel (now classified as Critically Endangered) which is the sole European representative of the Anguillidae.

*Does not include species classed as Not Applicable (NA)

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