What We Do
Research and Conservation
Despite being among the world’s largest and most threatened freshwater fishes, mahseer have been afforded limited scientific attention in the past, with the ecology, taxonomic status and distributions of many species still unknown. Because such knowledge is fundamental to the conservation success of habitat and species management planning, the Mahseer Trust is committed to prioritising and addressing these knowledge gaps.
Working in close collaboration with international universities, research institutes and conservation organisations, our scientists have conducted and published their research findings in a number of high profile international scientific journals.
In addition to learning more about the fish themselves, we continue to focus research effort on the quantification of population threats and attitudes and opportunities for community engagement in conservation practice.
Outreach
Across mahseer range countries, we run a number of outreach and education schemes, working in collaboration with local communities to enhance the learning experience for kids, and to instill a better understanding of how rivers shape community life.
Every two years, we also run a range of camps in collaboration with World Fish Migration Day, when we bring hundreds of people onto the banks of freshwater systems throughout mahseer range countries. We use angling, nature-awareness, art and music to build a stimulating day away from the city.
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Many of the most dispossessed communities in mahseer ranges countries are also those who have the most intimate and detailed knowledge about the fish and their habitats. We aim to work closely with these communities through in-country partners, both to ensure that their know-how is safe for future generations to benefit from, and that they also gain from the interchange of skills and communications with the wider world.