IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee

Group leadership

Dr Topiltzin CONTRERAS MACBEATH

PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), United Kingdom. For the past 40 years, has been a researcher at the Center for Biological Research of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (UAEM) Mexico, where he is responsible for the Conservation Biology working group. Author of 34 scientific articles, 62 Red List publications, four books, and contributions to 43 books, as well as 37 outreach publications. Participates in numerous international scientific committees. Is currently Co-Chair of the IUCN/SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee, as well as a member of the Steering Committee of the Species Survival Commission. Was President of the Mexican Society of Zoology, Director of the Center for Biological Research, General Director of Research and Graduate Studies, and Academic Secretary of UAEM. Served as Secretary of Sustainable Development of the State of Morelos from 2012 to 2018. Recently received the Sir Peter Scott Award, the highest recognition awarded by the Species Survival Commission for a career in conservation.

PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), United Kingdom. For the past 40 years, has been a researcher at the Center for Biological Research of the Autonomous University of the State of ...

Dr Ian HARRISON

Ian Harrison obtained his Ph.D. in systematic ichthyology at the University of Bristol, UK. He has conducted research on marine and freshwater fishes from several parts of the world, including fieldwork in Europe, Central and South America, West and Western Central Africa, the Philippines, and the Central Pacific. He was based at the American Museum of Natural History from 1996 to 2008, conducting research on systematic ichthyology and freshwater conservation biology, before working with Conservation International (CI) until 2024. He has served as the Technical Officer for the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC), is part of the Steering Committee for SSC, and co-chair of the IUCN-SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee. He is an Adjunct Professor for the School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University. He is currently based in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Ian Harrison obtained his Ph.D. in systematic ichthyology at the University of Bristol, UK. He has conducted research on marine and freshwater fishes from several parts of the world, including ...

More about the FCC

The mission of the Freshwater Conservation Committee is to raise the profile of freshwater biodiversity through:

Coordination of freshwater species conservation activities through the SSC, to highlight emerging patterns and to ensure that increasing attention is given to issues concerning freshwater biodiversity conservation;
To make recommendations to the SSC based on the work of the FCC;
To ensure freshwater species conservation issues are aligned within the SSC and the wider IUCN;
To assist the SSC by providing authority and credibility in its engagement with policy processes and major freshwater-related events;
to raise awareness and increase the profile of the freshwater biodiversity crisis.