Switzerland and France team up to save the apron fish

An endangered fish has inspired French and Swiss efforts to restore habitat for wildlife along the River Doubs, which borders both countries. But these measures may have come too late to save one of the river’s native species.

This content was published on March 17, 2025 - 16:31

1 minute

I have a wealth of experience as a journalist working in Switzerland and enjoy producing videos, articles and podcasts on a range of subjects, recently focused mainly on politics and the environment. Born in the UK, I studied law at Nottingham University, then went on to attend the first-ever post-graduate radio journalism college in London. After working as a radio journalist in the UK and then Switzerland from 1984 to 1995, I returned to the UK to complete a post-graduate diploma in film at Bournemouth Film School. I have been working as a video journalist ever since.

In 2016, the Swiss federal and cantonal governments adopted plans to restore the ecosystemsExternal link connected to the Doubs. However, their numbers have continued to dwindle and the last sighting was in 2023. Swiss public television, RTS, filmed a night-time search in the summer of that year. You can read more about efforts to save this fish on swissinfo.ch.

A woman speaking into a microphone with an airport in the background.

Truth or tale: is Switzerland injecting harmful chemicals into the sky?

Figure it out: in Switzerland, migration isn’t just inbound

Photo of a young woman in front of the Swiss parliament

Why is Switzerland’s national anthem not widely known among its citizens?

What exactly was signed in Helsinki in August 1975?

Stabilising permafrost in the Swiss Alps

Permafrost thawing: protecting endangered mountain infrastructure in the Swiss Alps

The death penalty around the world in 90 seconds

Is it a good idea to let AI vote?

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

Locarno City Archives, Rodolfo Huber, Locarno Pact centenary

How Locarno became the ‘city of peace’

Journalist Anand Chandrasekhar sitting at a table, holding up a picture of a chocolate bar.

Truth or tale: is Swiss chocolate tainted by child labour?

Photo of a woman in front of a screen with colourful background.

What you didn’t know about psychiatry and Switzerland

How to vote from abroad as a Swiss citizen

Swiss Reddit study on fake news stirs ethics debate

Feline felons: The issue with Switzerland’s free-roaming cats

Human rights lawyer Luz Marina Monzón Cifuentes in Bern.

A call for ‘the courage to keep fighting for peace’ in Colombia

Photo of a woman in front of Kunsthalle museum

How a Swiss fund helps Global South artists connect with rest of the world

The Swiss mega-project to transport freight underground

The Swiss militia principle – what’s it all about?

‘Collegiality’ – a concept at the heart of Swiss governance

Everything you need to know to organize your move abroad

Swipe up for next video

Climate adaptation

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

Cooks at work in the kitchen, pictured during a look behind the scenes at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfaeffikon, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, on March 31, 2014. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

Foreign Affairs

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

Demographics

Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

Criminals are targeting Swiss car dealerships

French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

The additional costs that Switzerland will incur when purchasing the US F-35 fighter jet continue to be a concern.

Swiss Politics

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

Swiss Abroad: How do you celebrate Swiss National Day where you live?

Do you have any special traditions for Switzerland’s birthday? Let us know where you live and how you usually celebrate.

Join the discussion

Jul 15, 2025

1 Comments

View the discussion

Do you have Swiss ancestors? Are you planning to visit where they lived in Switzerland?

We’d love to hear more about your genealogical research.

Join the discussion

Jul 8, 2025

27 Likes

41 Comments

View the discussion

Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?

Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?

Join the discussion

Jul 21, 2025

4 Likes

3 Comments

View the discussion

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

The insect situation in Switzerland (in the picture a butterfly) is considered 'worrying'.

Biodiversity loss in Switzerland in six graphs

This content was published on Jul 23, 2024 Biodiversity loss in the Alpine nation is above the world average, and over a third of animal and plant species are endangered. Can the trend be reversed?

Key Swiss sanctuary reveals challenges, opportunities in biodiversity protection

This content was published on Jun 26, 2022 How can animal and plant species be best protected? We visit the Bolle di Magadino, a nature preserve of international importance.

COP 15, a summit to halt the mass extinction of species

This content was published on Dec 6, 2022 The UN Conference on Biodiversity, opening this week in Montreal, hopes to reach an agreement to stem the ongoing disappearance of fauna and flora.

The biodiversity initiative was opposed by a broad alliance – the main right-wing and centre-right parties, as well as farming and business groups – which considered it “too extreme and ineffective”.

Vote analysis: ecological initiatives often fail due to resistance by Swiss farmers

This content was published on Sep 22, 2024 Political scientist Urs Bieri on the main lessons of Sunday’s votes in Switzerland on the biodiversity initiative and occupational pension reform.

Switzerland and France team up to save the apron fish

An endangered fish has inspired French and Swiss efforts to restore habitat for wildlife along the River Doubs, which borders both countries. But these measures may have come too late to save one of the river’s native species.

More

Truth or tale: is Switzerland injecting harmful chemicals into the sky?

More

Figure it out: in Switzerland, migration isn’t just inbound

More

Why is Switzerland’s national anthem not widely known among its citizens?

More

What exactly was signed in Helsinki in August 1975?

More

Permafrost thawing: protecting endangered mountain infrastructure in the Swiss Alps

More

The death penalty around the world in 90 seconds

More

Is it a good idea to let AI vote?

More

Extreme heat and drought are Switzerland’s top climate change risks

More

How Locarno became the ‘city of peace’

More

Truth or tale: is Swiss chocolate tainted by child labour?

More

What you didn’t know about psychiatry and Switzerland

More

How to vote from abroad as a Swiss citizen

More

Swiss Reddit study on fake news stirs ethics debate

More

Feline felons: The issue with Switzerland’s free-roaming cats

More

A call for ‘the courage to keep fighting for peace’ in Colombia

More

How a Swiss fund helps Global South artists connect with rest of the world

More

The Swiss mega-project to transport freight underground

More

The Swiss militia principle – what’s it all about?

More

‘Collegiality’ – a concept at the heart of Swiss governance

More

Everything you need to know to organize your move abroad

Popular Stories

More

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

More

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

More

Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

More

French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

More

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

Most Discussed

More

Swiss Abroad: How do you celebrate Swiss National Day where you live?

More

Do you have Swiss ancestors? Are you planning to visit where they lived in Switzerland?

More

Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?

More

Biodiversity loss in Switzerland in six graphs

More

Key Swiss sanctuary reveals challenges, opportunities in biodiversity protection

More

COP 15, a summit to halt the mass extinction of species

More

Vote analysis: ecological initiatives often fail due to resistance by Swiss farmers