The Northern Areas have many rivers, streams and alpine lakes fed by snowmelt and glacier waters. The freshwater resources contain several fish species which are an important component of the region’s biodiversity. The fish fauna here is relatively poor due to high turbidity, low water temperature, high water speed, low benthic productivity, and long stretches of narrow river gorges (Rafiq, 2002).

The fish are predominately Palaearctic with elements of Central Asian highlands. The fish diversity in Northern Areas is not yet described with greater detail despite its biological and evolutionary significance. However, some recent studies report there are about 17 species of native fish and 3 of exotic fish, belonging to five families (Table 8). Out of these 17 native species, four are endemic to Northern Areas, while several others have ranges confined to one or two localities. For example, Triplophysa stoliczkai, Ptychobarbus conirostis and Schizopygopsis stoliczkai are only found in eastern waters up to Kachura.

During the Hunza/Gojal expedition 2000 undertaken by Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, specimens of three species of fish were collected; one of these reported as endemic here (Virk et al., 2003). The number of fish species found in high altitude streams and lakes is low. For example, only three fish species have been recognized from Deosai. These include Triplophysa stoliczkai, Diptyichus maculatus, and Ptychobarbus conirostis (Woods et al., 1997).

Among exotic species, brown trout was introduced in Gilgit agency during the early 1900s. This species is now well established and is found in most of the rivers and lakes of Gilgit and Ghizer districts. Particularly upstream of the Ghizer river and its tributaries contain a large number of brown trout (AKRSP/DFID, 2000). Other exotic species include North America rainbow trout and Chinese carp introduced for aquaculture. However, it is not clear whether these exotics breed naturally. But their distribution is very limited and they are found only in those water bodies where they were stocked.

Table. Fish Diversity in Northern Areas

Source: Virk, A.T., Sheikh, K.M. and Marwat, A.H. 2003. NASSD Background Paper on Biodiversity, IUCN Pakistan.
The role of fish in supporting the livelihood of rural communities has not been well documented. Exploitation of fisheries resources is rather small even though it is an important source of food proteins and vitamins. Most of the fish caught by the local people is consumed in the household, but also sold sometimes.

Recent trends of fishing with explosives has greatly reduced the population of many species, especially several species of Cyprinids are becoming rare or vulnerable.

The other threat to fish is from introduced species. Indigenous trout is facing competition from exotic trout. Reports of competition between trout and snow carps also exist, because trout eat the juvenile of snow carp and snow carp eat trout eggs. Though a lot is available on the subject, for the Northern Areas very little is known about the ecology of these fish species except that they are found in both clear and turbid streams.

Moreover, logging, use of pesticides, construction of roads and irrigation channels are threatening fish and their habitat. A few studies have been carried out to identify the fish and their natural distribution. More detailed investigation is needed to determine the taxonomic status, population size, distribution and habitat requirement of fish in Northern Areas (Virk et al., 2003).