LIFE NATURE | LIFE AND FRESHWATER FISH

REINTRODUCTIONS AND RESTOCKING Saving Spain’s endemic ­toothcarps from extinction

Most endangered European freshwater fish species are found in Mediterranean river catch- ments . The Spanish toothcarp and Valencia toothcarp are two such examples of highly threatened fish species that have been targeted by LIFE .

IFE toothcarp conservation efforts began in Pilar Risueño, who co-coordinated the Pego Oliva/ Lthe very first round of project funding back samaruc project on behalf of the department of in 1992. The Pego Oliva/samaruc project (LIFE92 environment of the Valencian regional authority, NAT/E/014400) specifically targeted the Valencia is now coordinator of the Freshwater Species Con- toothcarp (known in Spain as the samaruc - see box), servation Centre of the Valencian Region (FSCCVR),­ conducting studies that greatly increased knowledge located in El Palmar. She explains the pump-prim- of its biology and habitat. This knowledge fed into ing effect of that initial burst of LIFE funding: “The the drafting of a species recovery plan that was lat- reproduction and reintroduction protocols and the er officially approved and served as a basis for the technology and methodology acquired and devel- work of several additional LIFE projects, in particular oped at the time was transferred to Murcia and through the establishment of a first captive-breeding Catalonia, and used in their LIFE projects.” programme. This was based at the El Palmar fishery research station, where LIFE co-funding was used to The team at the FSCCVR has also learned from the adapt infrastructure and develop protocols for re- initial LIFE project, building on the successes of its production, transforming a former state-owned fish reintroduction and restocking efforts and the first farm into a breeding centre for a number of endan- experiences of habitat recovery for the species. So gered aquatic species1. much so, in fact, that it was able to adapt cap- tive breeding techniques and equipment for the 1 Such as the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) – see Spanish toothcarp (see box) and now the El Palmar LIFE and Invasive Alien Species

Valencia toothcarp (Valencia hispanica)

The Valencia toothcarp is a small fish (6-8 cm) which is noted • Listed as priority for conservation in Annexes II and IV of the for its upwards-facing mouth and a jaw fitted with teeth, indicat- Habitats Directive ing carnivorous behaviour (it eats mainly invertebrates). According • Art 17 Conservation status (2007-2012): ‘Unfavourable-bad’ to the IUCN, the species underwent a population decline of more • IUCN Category (2006): ‘Critically Endangered’ than 80% between 1996 and 2006 as a result of habitat destruc- tion for urbanisation and agriculture, water extraction and pollu- tion, and the introduction of predatory invasive alien fish species, the eastern mosquitofish Gambusia( holbrooki) and pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis ( gibbosus). There are seven remaining popula- tions of Valencia toothcarp (six in the Valencian Community, one in Photo: Benjamin Albiach Galan Catalonia). These are largely isolated and genetically distinct. The species mainly occupies small coastal freshwater bodies formed from upwellings of spring water, known locally as ullals. It may also inhabit coastal lagoons and wetlands with dense vegetation, which provide cover and an abundance of invertebrate prey.

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