Renton launches book on River Fish in St Vincent

A PROJECT undertaken by former secondary school principal, John Renton on the biodiversity in rivers on mainland St.Vincent has been compiled into a book which is now available to the public for purchase. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF), which collaborated with Renton on the project, said it is proud to share the findings of the first-ever inventory of freshwater and brackish water fish and decapod crustaceans (crayfish and crabs) in St. Vincent.

“Until now, no comprehensive record of these vital species existed,” a release from the SVGEF states. Over 14 rivers were surveyed by a team led by SVGEF grantee John Renton, supported by the Forestry Department.

The research unearthed “A rich biodiversity, with 18 fish and 13 decapod species identified, three of which are new records in the literature for St. Vincent”.

The SVGEF said, this groundbreaking report includes:

• Species descriptions: habitat, diet, reproduction, and conservation status.

• Insights from traditional fisherfolk: local names, fishing methods, and observations.

• Analysis of threats: pollution, climate change, invasive species, and more.

“Our rivers have long been valued for human needs, yet their biodiversity and fisheries have been overlooked in conservation planning. This report is a critical first step toward protecting these vulnerable ecosystems and the livelihoods they sustain,” the SVGEF release also states.

“My intention in writing this book was to provide, for the first time, a complete list of the freshwater fish and decapod crustaceans for St. Vincent. Before this publication, the lack of a formal description of our freshwater biodiversity made these species “invisible” to policy makers. It is hoped that this book marks an important step towards greater appreciation and preservation of our freshwater biodiversity,” Renton is quoted as saying.

Physical copies of the book are available on Amazon for purchase, and the SVGEF said each copy sold will go towards the conservation of freshwater species.