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How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply

How To Protect The Ocean

Release Date: 03/12/2025

How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply show art How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply

How To Protect The Ocean

The Panama Canal expansion allowed bigger ships to move through the canal; however, it also allowed an invasion of saltwater and saltwater fish into a freshwater lake, which threatened freshwater fish species and half of the country's drinking water. I dive into the unintended consequences of the 2016 Panama Canal expansion. Saltwater species from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are now invading Lake Gatún, displacing native freshwater fish and jeopardizing the water supply for nearly half of Panama’s population. Find out how this ecological shift is affecting local communities and the...

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More Episodes

The Panama Canal expansion allowed bigger ships to move through the canal; however, it also allowed an invasion of saltwater and saltwater fish into a freshwater lake, which threatened freshwater fish species and half of the country's drinking water.

I dive into the unintended consequences of the 2016 Panama Canal expansion. Saltwater species from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are now invading Lake Gatún, displacing native freshwater fish and jeopardizing the water supply for nearly half of Panama’s population.

Find out how this ecological shift is affecting local communities and the potential solutions Panama is considering to address this growing crisis. 

Link to article: https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/panama-canal-expansion-fish-invasion-lake-gatun/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=TheCoolDown/magazine/The+Cool+Down

Follow a career in conservation: https://www.conservation-careers.com/online-training/ Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program.
 
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