Researchers from the FishME project document and discuss the incidental capture of native species as a signal of recovery during the eradication of non-native fish in high-mountain lakes.

This works tests the prediction that incidental captures of amphibians and semi-aquatic birds and mammals increases as the density of introduced fish declines. results support this hypothesis for all amphibian species and for semi-aquatic birds, with bycatch events consistently increasing throughout the eradication process, whereas no clear pattern was detected for mammals. This general pattern contrasts with conventional fisheries, where bycatch is expected to decline with improved management. Whereas this “Bycatch Paradox”, is encouraging as a signal of recovery, mitigating bycatch remains important, especially for threatened species.

Tiberti et al. (2026). The Bycatch Paradox: Incidental capture of native semi-aquatic vertebrates. Biological Conservation 321

The deadline for abstract submission is extended to 25 August 2026.

Conference website

Researchers from the FishME project document that introduced fish displace the white-throated dipper from high-mountain lakes.

Authors show that introduced fish negatively affected dipper occurrence, with lakes largely avoided when fish were present, while hydrological connectivity with streams emerged as a key factor facilitating dipper use of high-mountain lakes. Even though dippers can thrive in areas without high-mountain lakes, relying exclusively on riverine habitats, their association with pristine fishless lakes, together with their recognizability and public appeal, make them effective flagship species to stimulate broader discussion on the impacts of invasive species in mountain freshwater ecosystems and their consequences for native fauna.

Bello et al. (2026). Introduced fish displace the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus) from high-mountain lakes. Biodiversity and Conservation 35:229

Researchers from the FishME project publish evidence that the efficacy of fish eradication from mountain lakes can be high if measures are taken before fish populations get established.

Eradicating introduced trout from originally fishless mountain lakes by intensive gillnetting is effective but typically time- and resource-intensive. This study provides an example of early detection and rapid eradication as a cost-effective restoration method. It underscores the importance of monitoring fish introductions into high mountain lakes and taking immediate action to protect fragile ecosystems before costs and impacts escalate.

Sabas et al., (2026). Early warning, rapid eradication of alien fish and ecological recovery in an Alpine lake. Management of Biological Invasions 17(1): 85-94.

Researchers from the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project publish a case study on the restoration of aquatic ecosystems in the alps and Pyrenees.

LIFE RESQUE ALPYR develops and tests replicable protocols for invasive fish eradication in lakes of varying sizes, livestock exclusion from sensitive waters and mires, clear-cutting and revegetation on afforested mires and the re-establishment of mowing in wet meadows. The paper presents the project’s ecological rationale, study areas, objectives and methods, together with the expected outcomes and lessons learned to support transferability to other mountain protected areas. The approach integrates robust ecological monitoring and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term biodiversity gains and to reconcile traditional land-use practices with modern conservation priorities.

Buchaca et al. (2026). The Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems in the Alps and Pyrenees: A Case Study from the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR Project. eco.mont 18(2).