Inland Fisheries Management - Exploitation and Livelihoods

Aim: The aim of this chapter is to introduce and describe the importance of inland fisheries within a management context. Key contributions of inland fisheries to a diverse array of livelihoods services are highlighted, with emphasis on how globally widespread they are. Specifically, inland fisheries are identified as an important source of protein and livelihoods, especially for poor and developing nations, but also more globally and for recreational fisheries. Case studies are used to outline a number of challenges for maintaining inland fisheries livelihoods. Finally, opportunities for sustainable management of exploitation are described with the aim of stressing the resulting benefits to society. 

Main concepts covered: The limited entry demands and ease with which people can access inland fisheries make them an extremely attractive livelihood option for subsistence and recreational fishers, and large-scale commercial operations, alike. Not only do they support fishers and those directly associated with the fishery but also a diverse value-chain and a growing tourist industry. Inland fisheries exploitation is high and becoming more widespread. Threats from development and ever-increasing populations have led some to suggest that inland fisheries livelihoods cannot be sustained. Challenges with estimating the amount of fish available, understanding diverse life-history patterns that determine how easily and frequently the population will recover from exploitation, and the high accessibility that makes it hard to track the quantity of fish being removed combine to make sustainable management difficult. There are, however, many people across the globe working to improve management and sustainability. From local fishers to national governments, diverse communities across the globe have recognized the need for change in order to sustain important inland fisheries livelihoods in the future. 

Main methods: Cases studies emphasizing the importance of inland fisheries to people around the globe are used to demonstrate the diversity and extent of inland fisheries livelihoods. 

Conclusions: Challenges associated with exploiting fishery resources sustainably are numerous. Using a series of case studies to illustrate how livelihoods across the globe are similar but at the same time different, the chapter describes how with careful and considered management and self-regulated exploitation this important livelihood can be sustained.