THE PLIGHT facing freshwater fish in the wild has come under the spotlight at a high-profile meeting attended by the world's leading conservationists.

A two-day gathering brought together experts from around the world in an effort to address the difficulties facing freshwater fish of which there are more than 14,000 species.

More than 35 specialists and advisors from around the world were at Chester Zoo for the meeting of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, a collaboration between the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) and Wetlands International.

Chester Zoo's Director General, Professor Gordon McGregor Reid, chaired the meeting which looked at the global picture for Freshwater Fish region by region and developed strategies for assisting threatened species.

Biodiversity issues, climate change, global warming, overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, all of which pose threats to freshwater fish, were also discussed.

Professor Reid said: "Freshwater fishes are one of the most threatened species groups on the planet and they need our intervention if they are to survive.

"By bringing together experts from around the world we can begin to address some of the difficulties and challenges that face Freshwater Fish."

The Freshwater Fish Specialist Group already offers support to regional authorities globally on the critical issues facing the species.

More than 300 kinds of fish species new to science are discovered every year, the majority coming from fresh waters.

This is the fourth year running that Chester Zoo has played host to the meeting of fish specialists.