Did you know that fish migrate in Alabama? Here’s why it matters.

Saturday, May 25th is a big day in Alabama. For starters, its the beginning of a three-day Memorial Day weekend—a time to honor the brave men and women who have defended our nation in wars and conflicts. May 25th is also the unofficial start of summer.

But this year, May 25th has some additional meaning.

It is World Fish Migration Day, the global celebration to raise awareness of the importance of free-flowing rivers and migratory fish.

Here’s why fish migration matters

Just like birds, fish migrate. Fish migrate in search of food and to find places to lay their eggs. Many species are affected by fish migration.

For example, several species of mussels are dependent on migratory fish—such as the Alabama Shad—to carry their embryos upstream to create new baby mussels. Mussels act as nature’s sponges, cleaning our rivers by filtering the water that passes over them.

“Alabama is so incredibly special, not only do we have migratory fish, but we have multiple species of fish who live part-time in the Gulf of Mexico, and part-time in our rivers. Or, at least, they are supposed to. 

By celebrating Alabama’s #1 ranking in freshwater biodiversity and understanding how the habitat has been altered for so many species, we can begin to mitigate some of the damage dams have caused.”

Cindy Lowry, Executive Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance

Alabama has the most biodiverse freshwater riverine system in North America. Did you know Alabama is ranked 1st in the most different kinds of fish, mussels and snails?

• 1st in the U.S. in the number of freshwater fishes with 332 kinds of fish. (27% of all fish species in North America.)
• 1st in the U.S. in the number of freshwater mussels with 180 different types. (59% of all mussel species in North America.)
• 1st in the U.S. in the number of freshwater snails with 202 kinds of snails. (28% of all snail species in North America.)

One of the primary reasons we top all these categories is because of fish migration.

Efforts to support fish migration in Alabama

One of the major hurdles for fish migration—literally—is the network of dams and impoundments located along Alabama’s waterways. These barriers make it difficult for fish to follow their natural migratory journey—especially migratory species like the Gulf Sturgeon and the Alabama Shad.

In fact, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, “the Coosa River is the site of the greatest modern extinction event in North America, where 36 species went extinct following the construction of a series of dams.” Populations of migratory freshwater fish populations are in decline, down by more than 80% since the 1970s according to a recent report by The Guardian.

However, its not all bad news. As reported by The Bama Buzz in May 2023, there is a movement to “reconnect” the Cahaba River to the Alabama River by creating natural bypass channels.

“If implemented successfully, these natural by-pass channels will provide migratory fish, like the Alabama Shad, a way to go around the dams and complete their historic journey up the Cahaba River to spawn and to assist the Elephantear Mussels in their spawning, by acting as a host fish. 

With multiple migratory fish species and this historic opportunity to save these species from becoming endangered or eventually extinct, there is no reason Alabama leaders and residents shouldn’t be celebrating all of our migratory fish on this special day!”

Cindy Lowry, Executive Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance

Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, are working to create natural by-pass channels around the two lowest dams on the Alabama River:

• Claiborne Lock and Dam near Monroeville, AL
• Miller’s Ferry outside of Camden, AL

If successful, these channels could allow fish to move up the Alabama River into the Cahaba River and complete their migratory journey for the first time in decades.

How you can support fish migration in Alabama

There are several ways you can support fish migration in Alabama.

For starters, consider getting involved with the Alabama Rivers Alliance. This statewide network of more than 100 advocacy organizations aims to protect and restore Alabama’s waterways.

Another way to support fish migration in Alabama? Help name the Alabama Shad as the official state migratory fish. This year, Representative Mike Shaw (R-Hoover) introduced a bill to celebrate the rare migratory species. Although the bill didn’t pass this year, it helped recognize the importance of our state’s migratory fish.

How are you celebrating World Fish Migration Day in Alabama? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!