On the sustainability of inland fisheries: Finding a future for the forgotten

Abstract

At present, inland fisheries are not often a national or regional governance priority and as a result, inland capture fisheries are undervalued and largely overlooked. As such they are threatened in both developing and developed countries. Indeed, due to lack of reliable data, inland fisheries have never been part of any high profile global fisheries assessment and are notably absent from the Sustainable Development Goals. The general public and policy makers are largely ignorant of the plight of freshwater ecosystems and the fish they support, as well as the ecosystem services generated by inland fisheries. This ignorance is particularly salient given that the current emphasis on the food-water-energy nexus often fails to include the important role that inland fish and fisheries play in food security and supporting livelihoods in low-income food deficit countries. Developing countries in Africa and Asia produce about 11 million tonnes of inland fish annually, 90 % of the global total. The role of inland fisheries goes beyond just kilocalories; fish provide important micronutrients and essentially fatty acids. In some regions, inland recreational fisheries are important, generating much wealth and supporting livelihoods. The following three key recommendations are necessary for action if inland fisheries are to become a part of the foodwater-energy discussion: invest in improved valuation and assessment methods, build better methods to effectively govern inland fisheries (requires capacity building and incentives), and develop approaches to managing waters across sectors and scales. Moreover, if inland fisheries are recognized as important to food security, livelihoods, and human well-being, they can be more easily incorporated in regional, national, and global policies and agreements on water issues. Through these approaches, inland fisheries can be better evaluated and be more fully recognized in broader water resource and aquatic ecosystem planning and decision-making frameworks, enhancing their value and sustainability for the future.

Fishes in a changing world: learning from the past to promote sustainability of fish populations

“…Ultimately, many of the most pervasive problems facing global fish populations can only be mitigated through collaborative efforts involving both scientists and wider society (Sutherland et al, ; Lynch et al, ). Future efforts must, therefore, use both scientific and societal approaches in order to most effectively secure a future for fishes worldwide (Cooke et al, ).…”

“…Fish populations are of immense global value, shaping ecosystem services for billions of people worldwide (Holmlund & Hammer, ; Worm et al, ; Cooke et al, ). However, our planet is currently facing unprecedented environmental and societal changes that are having dramatic effects on fish and fisheries (Arthington et al, ; Waters et al, ).…”

Assessing the global distribution of river fisheries harvest: a systematic map protocol

“…Consequently, these fisheries are often given low priority in planning and policy discussions relative to other uses of river ecosystem services such as drinking water, agriculture, or energy production [5,8].…”

“…Additionally, with upwards of 1700 fish species, the Mekong River is a global 'hotspot' of fish biodiversity [4], so understanding the relationship between the human fisheries system and the natural ecological system is critical for maintaining both the biodiversity of the resident fishes and well-being of the local human communities in the area. While the social, economic, and ecological importance of inland fish and fisheries is difficult to overstate, they are often undervalued and underappreciated [5]. This is due to the fact that accurate information about these highly dispersed fisheries is inherently…”

Intersectorality in the governance of inland fisheries

“…In light of the multiuse patterns of inland waters, these fisheries have usually been given lower priority and relegated to a peripheral position (Arlinghaus et al 2002, Cowx 2002, whose ensuing marginalization has succinctly been summarized as a case of "forgotten fisheries" (Cooke et al 2016). This marginal recognition has meant that there is often a lack of coordination and little structured communication between fisheries management authorities and other sectoral institutions, effectively insulating fisheries concerns in the resource allocation and decision-making processes (Arlinghaus et al 2002.…”