Abstract
The reported annual yield from inland capture fisheries in 2008 was over 10 million tonnes, although real catches are probably considerably higher than this. Inland fisheries are extremely complex, and in many cases poorly understood. The numerous water bodies and small rivers are inhabited by a wide range of species and several types of fisher community with diversified livelihood strategies for whom inland fisheries are extremely important. Many drivers affect the fisheries, including internal fisheries management practices. There are also many drivers from outside the fishery that influence the state and functioning of the environment as well as the social and economic framework within which the fishery is pursued. The drivers affecting the various types of inland water, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wetlands may differ, particularly with regard to ecosystem function. Many of these depend on land-use practices and demand for water which conflict with the sustainability of the fishery. Climate change is also exacerbating many of these factors. The future of inland fisheries varies between continents. In Asia and Africa the resources are very intensely exploited and there is probably little room for expansion; it is here that resources are most at risk. Inland fisheries are less heavily exploited in South and Central America, and in the North and South temperate zones inland fisheries are mostly oriented to recreation rather than food production.
Highlights
Inland capture fisheries group activities that extract fish and other living organisms from surface waters inland of the coastline
Define their role in food security and in so doing defines the various drivers operating on inland fisheries, where drivers are defined as factors influencing yield, changes and sustainability in inland fish resources and fisheries
DRIVERS REGULATING INLAND FISHERIES Demand is the primary driver of almost any human activity including inland fisheries, aquaculture and marine fisheries
Summary
Inland capture fisheries group activities that extract fish and other living organisms from surface waters inland of the coastline. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) itself posts caveats about the quality of the inland fisheries statistics in its SOFIA (The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture) reviews (FAO 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009). These contrasting views of increasing production and underestimation of the fisheries versus continuing reports of declining fish catches, loss of diversity and lack of potential in individual fisheries are difficult to reconcile because a lack of indicators hinders the formulation of management policy. Define their role in food security and in so doing defines the various drivers operating on inland fisheries, where drivers are defined as factors influencing yield, changes and sustainability in inland fish resources and fisheries
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