Challenges in managing inland fisheries--using the ecosystem approach

Inland fisheries are an important source of food and livelihood. However, the socio-economic importance of inland fisheries is often undervalued and inadequately addressed in national and international policies for development. Furthermore, while irresponsible fishing can have serious consequences, there are also many outside threats to inland fisheries. The ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) strives to balance a diversity of societal objectives, preserving possibilities for future generations to benefit from exploitation of aquatic ecosystems. Implementation of the approach to inland fisheries presents special challenges that arise from multiple uses of inland waters, external pressures, and difficulties in acquiring accurate information. The basic elements of an ecosystem approach include identification of relevant participants, identification of objectives of management and establishment of a monitoring system with appropriate indicators.