Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Huw JamesORCiD, Dr William Reid
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Two species of Southern Ocean icefish (Channichthyidae) were recently assessed using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria, with the South Georgia icefish (Pseudochaenichthys georgianus) categorised as Endangered and the Scotia Sea icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus) categorised as Vulnerable. Both species are distributed in the Area 48 in the Southern Ocean, notably around South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands and the northern Antarctic Peninsula. These fish were subject to exploitation (mostly as bycatch) in the 1970s and early 1980s and continue to be taken as bycatch in small quantities in the Antarctic krill fishery. The primary basis for the Red List designations was that stocks remain depleted from historic over-exploitation. However, the assessments did not take account of a contemporary 36-year time series of data from regular scientific trawl surveys in South Georgia waters and sporadic surveys around the South Orkneys and Antarctic Peninsula. A review of data available from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and other sources, suggests that the assessments may not be sufficiently supported and warrant re-examination. Our evaluation, using the available data and considering the Red List criteria, suggests that a categorisation of Least Concern may be appropriate for both species. Furthermore, we draw insights from the icefish species assessments to evaluate the IUCN Red List process and make recommendations for improvement. These include the need for a coordinated approach, including prioritisation of species, consultation with appropriate expert groups, enhanced rigour in the delivery of the process, and greater capacity building.
Author(s): Collins MA, Belchier M, Brickle P, Cleeland JB, Everson I, Hill SL, Hollyman PR, Hughes KA, James HW, Jones CD, Jones T, Morley SA, Parker SJ, Peck LS, Queirós JP, Reid WDK, Cavanagh RD
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Global Ecology and Conservation
Year: 2026
Volume: 67
Print publication date: 01/06/2026
Online publication date: 02/04/2026
Acceptance date: 31/03/2026
Date deposited: 29/04/2026
ISSN (electronic): 2351-9894
Publisher: Elsevier BV
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04184
DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04184
Data Access Statement: Data will be made available on request.
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
