Inland capture fisheries

Area of Science:

• Fisheries Science
• Aquatic Ecology
• Environmental Management

Background:

• Inland capture fisheries yield over 10 million tonnes annually, with actual catches likely higher.
• These fisheries are complex ecosystems supporting diverse species and communities with varied livelihoods.
• Numerous internal and external drivers, including management practices, land use, water demand, and climate change, impact inland fisheries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the complexity and importance of inland fisheries.
• To identify key drivers affecting inland fisheries and their environments.
• To assess the future outlook and risks for inland fisheries across different continents.

Main Methods:

• Review of reported fisheries data and existing literature.
• Analysis of ecological and socio-economic factors influencing fisheries.
• Comparative assessment of regional variations in exploitation and risk.

Main Results:

• Inland fisheries are significantly impacted by factors such as land-use practices, water demand, and climate change.
• Ecosystem functions in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands are differentially affected by these drivers.
• Asia and Africa face the highest risks due to intense exploitation, while South/Central America are less exploited, and temperate zones focus on recreation.

Conclusions:

• Inland fisheries are under considerable pressure globally, with significant regional disparities in exploitation and risk.
• Sustainable management requires addressing both internal fishery practices and external environmental and socio-economic influences.
• Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing challenges for inland fisheries worldwide.