Abstract
Introduction: The invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis) is actively spreading across Iberian freshwaters, with no effective management measures in place to control its growing abundance or prevent its establishment in new localities. It poses a severe threat to endemic and already endangered species, and is simultaneously a preferred target by few anglers who continuously promote its spread. The LIFE-PREDATOR project aims to stop the spread of European catfish in lentic systems in Portugal and Italy, particularly in protected areas. Objectives: This talk will present the mid-term results of the LIFE-PREDATOR in Portugal, and discuss the difficulties and future challenges to reduce the size of local populations of European catfish. Methodology: The LIFE-PREDATOR team developed several tasks in Portugal: (1) established the reference situation of fish communities in six reservoirs in the Tagus Basin, using scientific fishing, fish telemetry and eDNA-based tools; (2) determined the optimal protocols for sampling catfish; (3) implemented an early detection programme based on warning teams, data-mining and eDNA tools; (4) developed population control actions in four reservoirs; and (5) organised dissemination events for the general public, anglers, and students from kindergarten to university levels. Results: Overall, there is a grim view about recipient communities in the studied lentic systems, which tend to be dominated by invasive fish species, including common carp (Cyprinus carpio), gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), European catfish, pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), European perch (Perca fluviatilis) and largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans). At least three new localities harbouring catfish were identified from online data-mining and warning teams. A total of 8 tons of catfish were removed by mid-June of 2025, mostly from the Natural Park of International Tagus. Outreach activities were conducted in nearly 60 schools, reaching more than 5000 students. Moreover, 67 general public events have reached more than 4500 people since the project started (September 2023). Conclusions: Despite its positive outcomes, the LIFE-PREDATOR team has encountered challenges in engaging key stakeholders such as anglers, involving local municipalities, and implementing catfish removal actions in remote areas. Difficulties and challenges in catfish management must therefore be debated in order to assure the after-LIFE implementation across Portuguese protected areas.
Author Contributions
Conceptualisation: P.V., F.R., M.Č. and M.F.M.; Methodology: F.R., R.R. (Rui Rivaes), D.R., M.M., D.D., B.C., C.G., B.Q., M.F.M., R.R. (Rui Rebelo), A.M., C.C., J.L.C., M.Č., L.V., S.B. and P.V.; Investigation: F.R., R.R. (Rui Rivaes), D.R., M.M., D.D., B.C., C.G., B.Q., M.F.M., R.R. (Rui Rebelo), A.M., C.C., J.L.C., M.Č., L.V., S.B. and P.V.; Resources: F.R., R.R. (Rui Rivaes), D.R., B.Q., R.R. (Rui Rebelo), J.L.C., M.Č. and P.V.; Data curation, R.R. (Rui Rivaes), D.R., C.G., A.M., C.C. and S.B.; Writing—original draft preparation, F.R.; Writing—review and editing: R.R. (Rui Rivaes), D.R., M.M., D.D., B.C., C.G., B.Q., M.F.M., R.R. (Rui Rebelo), A.M., C.C., J.L.C., M.Č., L.V., S.B. and P.V.; Supervision, Project administration and Funding acquisition, P.V., F.R., M.Č. and M.F.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This study was conducted within the framework of the project LIFE-PREDATOR co-funded by the European Commission under the EU LIFE Nature & Biodiversity 422 Project programme (GA101074458). MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre was financed by the FCT (UID/04292/2025, https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/04292/2025) and the PRR (UID/PRR/04292/2025, https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/PRR/04292/2025). ARNET—Aquatic Research Infrastructure Network was financed by FCT LA/P/0069/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0069/2020). This work was supported by Portuguese National Funds through “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” within CE3C Unit funding (ref. UIDB/00329/2025) and CHANGE (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0121/2020). R. Rivaes (2024.09047.CEECIND) and C. Gkenas (DL57/2016/CP1479/CT0036) are supported by individual contracts from FCT.
Institutional Review Board Statement
All the investigation done within the LIFE-PREDATOR project followed the Portuguese legal framework, both in the animal welfare ruling (DGAV) and the legal framework on wild animal capture and handling (ICNF). This research was approved by the Institutional Board of Animal Welfare and Ethics of Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
Informed Consent Statement
Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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