The Importance of Inland Capture Fisheries to Food Security

Inland fish and fisheries play an important role in ensuring food security throughout the world. Freshwater fish production is especially important in the developing world, where they provide a critical source of animal protein and essential micronutrients for local communities. While inland fisheries production is generally thought to be increasing on a worldwide basis, due primarily to increased aquaculture development, data concerning inland fisheries production and consumption are generally poor, often leading to the undervaluation of the importance of inland fisheries as a source of food and wellbeing by many policymakers. In Burma, for example, policymakers focused on the potential effects constructing dams would have on agriculture and largely ignored the impact on wild fish in the rivers, which were an important local source of food and livelihood. As such, tradeoffs with alternative freshwater uses, particularly agricultural development and hydropower, can have a devastating impact to food security, health, and societal well-being at the local and regional levels. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the importance of inland fisheries in ensuring food and economic security at the local level and the challenges faced by inland fisheries due to competing demands for alternative water uses.