Migratory freshwater fishes play key roles in ecosystem functioning, support the economy and livelihoods of millions of people worldwide, and have cultural importance to numerous communities. Conservation of these species and the freshwater habitats they require is, therefore, vital in terms of both their biological and socioeconomic value. 

The aim of this briefing document is to use the recently published global freshwater fish assessment from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to highlight freshwater fishes of potential interest for inclusion in CMS and identify patterns in taxonomy, geography, and threat processes amongst the highlighted species.