Workshop on ecosystem approach to inland fisheries: data needs and implementation strategies

NACA coordinated an international workshop Ecosystem approach to inland fisheries: data needs and implementation strategies, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, 7-11 December 2010 as part of its continued engagement on inland fisheries issues. The workshop was supported by the FAO and the US Geological Survey, and brought together 28 experts in inland fisheries from 12 countries and representatives from regional and international organisations.

The contribution inland fisheries makes to improve the human well-being, and the status of inland fishery resources and the ecosystems that support them, are in general relatively poorly known and often undervalued. As recognised by FAO and others, this is because of (a) the importance of fisheries is not reflected in the formal economy, because much production is consumed locally or traded for other goods (b) the varied and diffuse nature of many inland fisheries operating in remote areas, associated with lack of formal landing areas; (c) lack of awareness and policies on inland fisheries in national agendas, (d) poorly defined market chains or infrastructure dealing with catch from inland waters, and (e) the high cost of collecting dispersed information. Moreover, in many developing countries inland fisheries are considered a traditional, non-economic activity that for the betterment of the nations should be replaced by more obvious industrial or agricultural activities that contribute directly to formal economies. Also where information is lacking, either improvement must be made to acquire it, or alternative strategies must be developed to manage inland fisheries responsibly. Additionally, inland fisheries are greatly impacted by other sectors that use freshwater resources, such as hydro-electric development, irrigation and agriculture, catchment and upstream land development and navigation.