Abstract:Xizang serves as a crucial ecological and security barrier for China. Its fragile ecological environment is difficult to restore once destroyed. To implement the national policy prioritizing protection over development and to enhance the precision and pragmatism of agricultural support to Xizang, the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences proposed a special initiative titled "Fishery source and environment survey of key waters in Xizang". This initiative was based on the unique characteristics of Xizang's fishery resources and environment. Field sampling and remote sensing monitoring were employed to comprehensively asscess the aquatic organisms and ecological environment in Xizang. The Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Heilongjiang Fisheries Research Institute, Fishery Resource and Environment Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Institute of Hydrobiology (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and Institute of Aquatic Science (Xizang Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science) conducted surveys on fish species composition, abundance, and status of fisheries ecological environment in three rivers (Yarlung Zangbo River, Nujiang River, Lancang River) and four lakes (Basomtso Lake, Zhegu Lake, Lake Amdo Tsonak Co, and Co Ngoin Lake). From 2017 to 2021, 53 fish species were collected, belonging to 24 genera, 5 families, and 2 orders, including 45 native species, 6 non-native species, and 2 hybrids. Dominant species in the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River included Schizopygopsis younghusbandi, Ptychobarbus dipogon, Schizothorax oconnori, and Oxygymnocypris stewartii. In the middle reach, dominant species were S. oconnori, S. macropogon, S. younghusbandi, and S. waltoni. In the lower reach, dominant species were S. curvilabiatus, Garra kempi, Sisoridae sulcatus, S. molesworthi, Psilorhynchus homaloptera. In the Nujiang River, dominant species were Ptychobarbus kaznakovi, S. thermalis, S. nukiangensis. In the Lancang River, dominant species were S. lissolabiatus and S. lantsangensis. In the Basomtso Lake, dominant species were S. oconnori and S. macropogon. In the Zhegu Lake, dominant species were Triplophysa stewarti, Gymnocypris waddelli, S. younghusbandi. In the Lake Amdo Tsonak Co and Co Ngoin Lake, dominant species were S. thermalis and T. stewarti. Exotic species were primarily found in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. Water quality in the three rivers and four lakes generally met fishery standards, with lower concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River compared to the middle and lower reaches. The survey results indicated that the number of native fish species collected (45 species) from 2017 to 2021 accounted for 62.50% of the total native fishes (72 species) recorded before 2017. The weight proportion of endangered O. stewartii and Glyptosternum maculatum have been decreased significantly in Sangri to Jiacha reach of middle Yarlung Zangbo River. Non-native species were predominantly found in the middle reach of the Yarlung Zangbo River. This survey provided critical scientific and technological support for the protection of Xizang's fishery resources, sustainable utilization of unique resources, and the sustainable development of ecological environment.