Freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands form some of the world’s most critical and biodiverse ecosystems. However, that immense biodiversity is at risk: Nearly one-third of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction. Among those at-risk species are some of the world’s largest fish and iconic species such as the Mekong giant catfish, stingrays, sawfish, and alligator gar. Join us for a discussion with Zeb Hogan (host of NatGeo’s Monster Fish and co-author of new book Chasing Giants), Mary Melnyk, Stefan Lovgren (co-author of Chasing Giants), and Michele Thieme on giant fish and why protecting them matters for the future of our world’s freshwater ecosystems.
A reception and book signing will follow the discussion. 30 copies of Zeb and Stefan’s book will be available to those who attend in person on a first come-first serve basis.
You can find Zeb and Stefan’s book in stores and online here.
Keynote Speakers
Zeb Hogan, Host of National Geographic’s Monster Fish
Zeb Hogan, PhD, is a research biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno and the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Scientific Councilor for Fish. Hogan hosts National Geographic’s television series Monster Fish, and his research focuses on migratory fish ecology, fisheries management, and endangered species issues.
Stefan Lovgren, Author, Journalist, and Filmmaker
Stefan Lovgren is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker with more than twenty-five years of worldwide reporting experience. He has been a regular contributor to National Geographic’s numerous media platforms since 2003 and writes about a wide variety of environmental issues with a focus on fish and freshwater subjects.
Featured Speakers
Mary Melnyk, Environmental Security Division Chief, USAID Asia Bureau
Dr. Mary Melnyk has 30 years’ experience working on community development, biodiversity conservation and the environment. She has been in the Asia Bureau since 2001 and currently supports USAID efforts to promote environmental and social safeguards as a part of infrastructure development, water security in the Mekong, and the conservation of tigers and snow leopards.
Michele Thieme, Deputy Director of Freshwater, WWF-US
Michele Thieme supports WWF’s efforts to conserve freshwater ecosystems and manage river basins to support biodiversity and human livelihoods. She works with WWF offices around the world to build the resiliency of freshwater systems with a particular focus on river-related infrastructure, dams, and planning, as well as evaluation of basin health. Michele has 25 years of experience in freshwater and spatial planning. See her full bio here.
Moderator
Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia Program Director, Stimson Center
Brian Eyler directs the Southeast Asia Program and the Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program. He is an expert on transboundary issues in the Mekong region and specializes in China’s economic cooperation with Southeast Asia. He is widely recognized as a leading voice on environmental, energy, and water security issues in the Mekong. Brian is co-lead on the Mekong Dam Monitor. His first book, Last Days of the Mighty Mekong, was published by Zed Books in 2019. See his full bio here.