It is a Global Swimways Webinar Marathon!

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It is a Global Swimways Webinar Marathon!

July 23, 2020

By Nicole Friedman
Communications Fellow, World Fish Migration Foundation

Overlooking Oslo from one of Ekeberg Park's spectacular viewpoints

IMAGE: Clare Keogh / Europakommisjonen

Migratory fish play an essential role in the lives of nearly everyone on Earth. However, due to dams, habitat loss, and other human interventions, these amazing creatures are at risk. This is why World Fish Migration Day was created, to celebrate and raise awareness for fish and rivers! The first World Fish Migration Day took place in 2014 and drew in thousands of people around the world; now, we celebrate it every two years. This day brings fish lovers from nearly every part of the globe together through hundreds of events to celebrate our love for migratory fish and free-flowing rivers!

This year’s celebration was planned for May 16th, 2020. However, due to the spread of COVID-19 and global safety restrictions, World Fish Migration Day will be postponed until October 24th, 2020. While this situation is uncharted territory for all of us, we hope to make the most of our time and yours through several exciting (and virtual) events over the next months.

Child releases an adult Pacific lamprey at the Yakama Nation Fisheries during World Fish Migration Day 2016

IMAGE: Ralph Lampman

As a way to kickstart celebrations for October, the World Fish Migration Foundation hosted a Global Swimways Webinar Marathon on May 14th. This 24-hour webinar focused on the status of migratory fish and rivers worldwide with 62 presentations from experts on nearly every continent. It provided a chance to connect, inspire one another and share knowledge about smart solutions to bend the curve. We were amazed to see that over 2,000 people tuned in from over 100 countries! We received a wide variety of positive feedback, ranging from new knowledge and inspiration gained, connections forged across the world, and renewed interest in migratory fish and rivers.

On May 16th our team opened the voting for our Eurofishion contest! The International Eurofishion Song Contest is meant to raise awareness about fish and rivers. To participate, we ask people around the world to send in a song about their love for fish and rivers, fitting the #LoveFlows theme of World Fish Migration Day 2020. The deadline to submit a song is on October 15th, and voting will close on October 20th. Winners will be announced on World Fish Migration Day and will receive worldwide recognition and also a Happy Fish package from us!

Although we are at home most of these days, it is important to remember that creativity is not cancelled! The World Fish Migration Day team wishes everyone health and safety during these difficult times. We look forward to interacting with our many migratory fish friends across the globe in the coming months and keeping the spirit of #LoveFlows alive!

To watch recordings of the Global Swimways Webinar Marathon or view the presentations available visit the World Fish Migration Foundation Webinar webpage:

https://www.worldfishmigrationfoundation.com/global-swimways-webinar-marathon/

For more details on how to enter the Eurofishion Global Song Contest, please visit:

https://eurofishion.com