At the Longevity Summit Dublin 2024, Alec Lackmann, a key researcher in fisheries biology, delivered a compelling talk on the natural negligible senescence observed in buffalofish. His research revealed that these fish, previously overlooked by science, can live over 120 years, making them a promising model for studying ageing and longevity in vertebrates. Lackmann also highlighted the urgent need for conservation and further research to prevent their extinction and to learn more about their unique biology.

Key Points:

• Buffalofish as a Model for Longevity: Alec Lackmann's keynote highlighted the buffalo fish as a remarkable example of natural negligible senescence, living over 120 years. Their ability to reach such an age makes them a potential model for studying longevity in larger vertebrates.
• Discovery of Exceptional Longevity: Recent studies have shown that buffalo fish, previously thought to live only 10-20 years, can easily reach centenarian status, with the oldest recorded at 127 years. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about fish longevity.
• Adaptations to Environmental Stress: Buffalofish have evolved long lifespans as an adaptation to bridge long periods between successful generations, often decades apart, due to unfavourable environmental conditions.
• Physiological Improvements with Age: Remarkably, buffalofish continue to show physiological improvements as they age, including enhanced immune function and no signs of telomere shortening, indicating negligible senescence even as they approach 100 years old.
• Conservation Concerns: Despite their fascinating biology, buffalofish are threatened by overfishing and systemic neglect. Practices like bow fishing have rapidly grown in popularity, posing significant risks to these long-lived fish.
• Urgent Call for Study and Protection: Lackmann emphasized the need for more interdisciplinary research on buffalofish to unlock the secrets of their longevity while urging immediate conservation efforts to protect their dwindling populations.