April 21: World Fish Migration Day, Day of Creativity and Innovation
Kyiv • UNN
On World Fish Migration Day, events are held to draw attention to the decline in migratory fish populations. Since 1970, their number has decreased by 76% due to dam construction, climate change, and overfishing, which threatens freshwater ecosystems.
Today, on April 21, all animal rights activists and wildlife lovers can join various events on the occasion of the World Fish Migration Day, UNN reports.
Migratory fish regularly move in search of food or to breed. These migrations can take place in fresh or salt water only, or between rivers and seas and oceans in both directions.
Today, with a large number of dams, a deteriorating climate and active fishing, it is difficult for migrating fish to follow their own route, and the number of this species is sharply decreasing. All these factors have an extremely negative impact on the state of rivers, without which ecosystems cannot function.
Humanity continues to underestimate freshwater fish. Freshwater biodiversity is declining twice as fast as in our oceans or forests. Since 1970, migratory freshwater fish populations have declined by 76%. The most notable declines were in Europe - 93% and Latin America and the Caribbean - 84%.
At the same time, this figure in North America was only 28%. Scientists have concluded that fisheries management can slow down the decline.
Among the migratory fish found in Ukraine under the threat of extinction in the wild are, first of all, sturgeons (beluga, Russian sturgeon), some carp of the Dnipro basin (cutthroat and ribet), and river eel.
Another holiday dedicated to the fauna is the Day of the Kronnets (Kulon).
The kestrel is a bird of the tit family. It is characterized by a long, thin, strongly curved beak.
The color of the feathers is monochromatic, with small spots, the back is gray or brownish. The belly is white, the sides are white with dark spots. The tail is with transverse stripes.
The purpose of today's event is to emphasize the important role of these endangered migratory birds in ecosystems, as well as the threats they face due to habitat loss, destruction of their nesting sites and migration stops, climate change, hunting and other human activities.
Ornithologists estimate that no more than 200,000 pairs of crowned cranes nest permanently in Europe, and about 100 pairs in Ukraine.
Today you can also join the World Day of Creativity and Innovation.
The event aims to convey to the public that innovation is essential for utilizing the economic potential of nations. Human creativity and innovation, both at the individual and group levels, have become the true wealth of nations in the twenty-first century.
Culture and creativity account for 3.1% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.2% of all jobs. Exports of cultural goods and services have doubled in value since 2005, reaching US$389.1 billion in 2019.
You can still join the International Hemp Day today.
In recent years, today's event has been a focus for activists and organizations calling for an end to the stereotypical treatment and criminalization of cannabis. The day is also an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in legalizing hemp and recognizing its potential as a vital resource for industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and the textile industry.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyr Januarius.
From a young age, he decided to devote his life to serving the Lord. He was a preacher, a theologian, and was ordained Bishop of Benevento.
During the intensification of the persecution of Christians by order of Emperor Diocletian, the bishop was captured and tortured to death.
Jan, Denys, Maksym, and Mykola celebrate their name days on April 21.
