Overview

• Marine fish now comprise 76% of the fish biomass in Gatún Lake, up from 26% before the Panama Canal's 2016 expansion.
• The increase in marine species, particularly large predators like the Atlantic tarpon, is linked to the new, larger canal locks that transfer more saltwater into the freshwater lake.
• Scientists warn that the altered food web in Gatún Lake could harm local fisheries and reduce populations of native freshwater species.
• The risk of invasive species crossing the canal and entering the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans has risen, with potential long-term impacts on marine ecosystems.
• The findings, based on a study by German, Panamanian, and U.S. researchers, highlight the unintended ecological consequences of infrastructure projects.