Inland capture fisheries: status and data issues

Lakes, reservoirs and wetlands cover a total area of about 7.8 million km(2) and provide a rich environment for inland capture fisheries. Production from the world's inland capture fisheries has grown steadily to over 11.6 million tonnes in 2012, with almost 95% of the catches from developing countries. The sector is composed primarily of small-scale fishers and provides employment to approximately 61 million people, of which 50% are women. Inland capture fisheries yield is only 6.3% of the global reported fish production (capture fisheries and aquaculture). However, it is proposed that this is an underestimate and actual yield may be several times greater. The apparent low proportion of fish provided by inland capture fisheries globally does not reflect adequately the importance of inland capture fisheries in today's society. A lack of accurate information renders analysis of existing data sets difficult and makes decision-making problematic. Is the sector in serious trouble because of the multiple uses of and threats to inland water ecosystems? Is the sector stable and increased production due only to better reporting? Or, is the sector growing?