The Wonders of the Mekong (WOM) project announced that four critically-endangered Mekong giant barbs – the largest known species of cyprinid in the world – recently handed over by fishermen will be released back into the wild during the rainy season.

“Wanting to contribute to conservation efforts and the goals of the Wonders of the Mekong project, fishers … worked alongside WOM to protect one of the rarest fish on earth,” WOM said in a statement.

“On March 9, four endangered giant barbs [Catlocarpio siamensis] were moved from the dai [stationary trawl] fishery to a new home … Each fish weighed between 15 and 21 kilogrammes.

“The fish have been placed in cultivation ponds at the Freshwater Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Peam Ro commune, Peam Ro district, Prey Veng province.

“They will be held here until they can be safely released back into the river during the wet season when fishing activities are closed for the year,” it stated.