FAO SOFIA 2024: The Resilience of Inland Fisheries Catch
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently released its 2024 flagship report, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), providing a comprehensive look at the health and productivity of global aquatic systems. While much of the headlines focused on the historic milestone of aquaculture surpassing wild-capture fisheries for the first time, the data regarding inland fisheries reveals a sector that remains a cornerstone of food security and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide.
What is the global inland fisheries catch according to the 2024 FAO SOFIA report?
According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, the global inland fisheries catch reached 11.3 million tonnes in 2022. This figure represents approximately 12.2% of the total global capture fisheries production, which totaled 92.3 million tonnes. Inland fisheries continue to be dominated by Asia (63.4%) and Africa (29.4%), regions where these catches provide a critical source of animal protein and essential micronutrients for riparian and rural communities.
Global Inland Capture at a Glance
To better understand how inland fisheries compare to marine and aquaculture sectors, the following table summarizes the 2022 production data provided in the 2024 SOFIA report.
| Sector | Production (Million Tonnes) | Share of Total Capture | Primary Regions |
| Inland Capture | 11.3 | 12.2% | Asia (63.4%), Africa (29.4%) |
| Marine Capture | 81.0 | 87.8% | Northwest Pacific, Southeast Pacific |
| Total Wild Capture | 92.3 | 100% | Global |
Note: While inland capture is 11.3 million tonnes, total inland "production" (including aquaculture) is much higher, reaching 70 million tonnes.
Regional Dominance and Sustainability
Despite the rapid intensification of aquaculture, inland capture fisheries have remained remarkably stable over the last decade. The report highlights that while marine captures often fluctuate due to climate events like El Niño, inland catches have stayed consistent, though they face unique environmental pressures.
Asia: Remains the global powerhouse, utilizing vast river basins like the Mekong and Ganges.
Africa: In many landlocked African nations, freshwater fish are the primary—and sometimes only—source of affordable animal protein.
Environmental Factors: Unlike marine stocks, inland fish populations are primarily influenced by water diversion, pollution, and habitat loss rather than just fishing pressure.
The Role of Small-Scale Fishers
A significant takeaway from the SOFIA 2024 report is the contribution of small-scale operations. It is estimated that 90% of the people employed in capture fisheries work in the small-scale sector. Women also play a vital role, making up roughly 28% of the workforce in inland fisheries, particularly in post-harvest processing and local trade.
Challenges and the "Blue Transformation"
The FAO emphasizes that for inland fisheries to continue supporting global nutrition, they must be integrated into broader water management policies. The report advocates for a "Blue Transformation," a roadmap designed to improve data collection (as many inland catches go unreported in local markets) and restore the health of rivers and wetlands.
Global Inland Fisheries Catch: Leading Nations and Regional Insights
The 2024 FAO State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report highlights the critical role of freshwater ecosystems. While aquaculture often dominates the conversation, inland capture fisheries remain a vital lifeline for food security, particularly in landlocked and developing regions where access to marine resources is limited.
In 2022, the global inland catch reached 11.3 million tonnes. This production is not evenly distributed; it is heavily concentrated in specific river basins and lake systems across Asia and Africa.
Inland Fisheries Scorecard: Top Producing Nations
The following table ranks the leading countries by their inland capture production as of the latest FAO data. These nations represent the heart of global freshwater fishing.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Annual Catch (Million Tonnes) | Primary Water Sources |
| 1 | India | 🇮🇳 | 1.89 | Ganges, Brahmaputra, and vast reservoirs. |
| 2 | China | 🇨🇳 | 1.46 | Yangtze River and Pearl River systems. |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 🇧🇩 | 1.32 | Padma, Jamuna rivers, and seasonal floodplains. |
| 4 | Myanmar | 🇲🇲 | 0.87 | Ayeyarwady and Salween River deltas. |
| 5 | Uganda | 🇺🇬 | 0.57 | Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. |
| 6 | Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | 0.54 | Rivers of Sumatra and Kalimantan. |
| 7 | Cambodia | 🇰🇭 | 0.42 | Tonlé Sap Lake and Mekong River. |
| 8 | Tanzania | 🇹🇿 | 0.40 | Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa. |
Key Takeaways for Leading Nations
The Shift in Leadership: For the first time in recent years, India has overtaken China as the world's largest producer of inland capture fish. This is largely due to India's aggressive "Blue Revolution" policies and improved management of its vast inland reservoirs.
The "Fish-Rice" Culture: In countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia, inland fisheries are deeply integrated into the agricultural landscape. Seasonal flooding allows fish to migrate into rice paddies, providing a "free" protein source for millions of rural farmers.
African Great Lakes: Nations like Uganda and Tanzania owe their high rankings to the African Great Lakes. These bodies of water support massive artisanal fleets that are essential for the protein needs of East Africa.
Ecological Sensitivity: Unlike marine fisheries, these leading inland nations are highly susceptible to land-based activities. Dam construction, agricultural runoff, and water diversion for irrigation pose a greater threat to these catch volumes than overfishing alone.
Moving Toward Sustainability
The FAO's "Blue Transformation" strategy encourages these leading nations to move beyond simple extraction. The goal is to improve data reporting—as many small-scale catches in these countries go unrecorded—and to ensure that water management policies prioritize fish habitats alongside energy and agricultural needs.
India’s Inland Fisheries: The Global Leader in SOFIA 2024
The latest data on world fisheries highlights a historic shift: India has emerged as the world’s top producer of inland capture fisheries. While global inland catches have remained steady at approximately 11.3 million tonnes, India’s strategic focus on its vast river networks and reservoirs has propelled it past traditional leaders like China.
This milestone underscores the vital importance of freshwater ecosystems for national food security and rural livelihoods, moving India to the forefront of the global "Blue Transformation."
India’s Inland Fisheries Scorecard
The following table illustrates India's dominant position and the scale of its freshwater fishing operations.
| Metric | Performance Value | Global Ranking |
| 🇮🇳 Total Inland Catch | 1.9 Million Tonnes | #1 |
| 🌍 Global Market Share | ~17% of total inland catch | #1 |
| 👥 Livelihood Support | 28 Million People | Top Tier |
| 🐟 Primary Species | Indian Major Carps (Katla, Rohu, Mrigal) | Leading Producer |
| 📈 Growth Trend | Consistent Increase (last 5 years) | High Growth |
Key Drivers of India's Success
India’s rise to the top of the global leaderboard is driven by a combination of natural geography and focused policy:
Vast Hydrological Network: India utilizes one of the world's most extensive systems of rivers (such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra), canals, and floodplains.
Reservoir Revolution: A significant portion of the growth comes from managing large reservoirs. By stocking these man-made lakes with fingerlings (culture-based capture), India has stabilized yields that were previously subject to seasonal weather patterns.
Community-Led Fishing: The sector remains predominantly small-scale and artisanal. This decentralized model ensures that fish reach local markets quickly, providing essential micronutrients to rural populations.
Species Diversity: The success of the "Indian Major Carps" (Katla and Rohu) has been a game-changer. These species are highly resilient and have been successfully integrated into various inland water bodies across the country.
Challenges to Future Growth
Despite holding the top spot, the sector faces several environmental and structural hurdles:
Water Competition: Increasing demand for water in agriculture and industry often reduces the flow in rivers, impacting fish breeding cycles.
Climate Vulnerability: Changes in monsoon patterns and rising water temperatures are altering the migration paths of indigenous species like the Hilsa.
Data Gaps: Much of the inland catch occurs in remote or informal settings. Improving the accuracy of local reporting is essential to understanding the full economic impact of these fisheries.
The Path Forward
To maintain its leadership, the focus is shifting toward Ecosystem-Based Management. This involves not just catching fish, but protecting the health of the entire water body—ensuring that rivers remain free-flowing and that wetlands are preserved as natural nurseries for aquatic life.
China’s Inland Fisheries: Strategic Shifts in SOFIA 2024
In the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, China continues to be a global heavyweight in aquatic production, but its inland fisheries are undergoing a major transition. While historically the world leader in all categories, China has seen a deliberate reduction in its inland capture volumes due to aggressive environmental restoration policies.
While the global inland catch sits at 11.3 million tonnes, China’s share has decreased as the nation shifts its focus from "wild harvesting" to "sustainable cultivation" and ecosystem protection.
China Inland Fisheries Scorecard
Based on the 2024 report (2022 data), China’s standing reflects a country prioritizing ecological health over raw extraction volume.
| Metric | Performance Value | Global Ranking / Trend |
| 🇨🇳 Inland Capture Production | 1.46 Million Tonnes | #2 (Overtaken by India) |
| 🐟 Inland Aquaculture | 30+ Million Tonnes | #1 Globally (Dominant) |
| 📉 Capture Trend | ~20% Decrease since 2019 | Policy-Driven Decline |
| 🌊 Primary Systems | Yangtze River, Pearl River, Taihu Lake | High Conservation Status |
| 🏛️ Management Focus | Ecological Restoration | "Blue Transformation" Leader |
A Strategic Withdrawal: The Yangtze Fishing Ban
The most significant factor in China’s 2024 SOFIA data is the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River. This massive conservation effort has removed over 100,000 fishing boats and 280,000 fishers from China's largest river system.
Environmental Recovery: The decline in "catch" numbers is viewed by the FAO as a positive indicator of China's commitment to restoring biodiversity and protecting endangered species like the Yangtze finless porpoise.
From Capture to Culture: China has effectively migrated its "catch" needs into its massive inland aquaculture sector. Today, for every 1 tonne of wild inland fish caught in China, over 20 tonnes are farmed.
Stock Enhancement: China is a world leader in "ranching"—releasing billions of lab-reared fingerlings into lakes and rivers to maintain ecological balance rather than for immediate industrial harvest.
China's Role in "Blue Transformation"
The FAO report identifies China as a model for "Blue Transformation" through three specific actions:
Livelihood Transition: The government has successfully transitioned hundreds of thousands of inland fishers into land-based jobs or aquaculture roles, minimizing social disruption during fishing bans.
Rice-Fish Coculture: China remains the global pioneer in integrated rice-fish systems, which the FAO highlights as a sustainable way to produce protein and grain on the same land without additional water use.
Modernizing Inland Fleets: For the remaining inland fisheries (mostly in reservoirs), China is deploying digital monitoring and "smart" fishing technologies to ensure every catch is recorded and sustainable.
Challenges Noted in the Report
Urbanization: Rapid development along the Pearl River and Yellow River basins continues to put pressure on the water quality essential for wild fish stocks.
Data Transparency: The FAO notes that as China shifts toward more "enhanced" fisheries (where wild waters are stocked), the line between "capture" and "aquaculture" becomes blurred, requiring more precise reporting standards.
Bangladesh’s Inland Fisheries: A Rising Global Power
The FAO SOFIA 2024 report reveals that Bangladesh has achieved a significant milestone, climbing to the global #2 rank in inland freshwater fish production. By overtaking China in this specific sector, Bangladesh has solidified its reputation as a "land of rivers," where freshwater capture is not just an industry but a vital source of national nutrition.
While global inland capture remained stable at 11.3 million tonnes, Bangladesh’s inland waters contributed a massive portion, driven by its unique deltaic geography and successful conservation of key species like the Hilsa.
Bangladesh Inland Fisheries Scorecard
According to the 2024 report data (reflecting the 2022 production cycle), Bangladesh stands as a primary pillar of global freshwater food systems.
| Metric | Performance Value | Global Ranking |
| 🇧🇩 Inland Capture Production | 1.32 Million Tonnes | #2 |
| 🐟 Primary Species | Hilsa Shad (Ilsh), Carps, Catfish | #1 in Hilsa |
| 🍽️ Protein Dependency | ~60% of animal protein intake | Top Tier |
| 👩🌾 Total Fish Production | 4.8 - 4.9 Million Tonnes | #5 Overall |
| 📈 Inland Growth | Ranked 3rd in 2022 → Ranked 2nd in 2024 | Rising |
The Secret to Bangladesh's Success
Bangladesh’s jump to the second spot globally is the result of focused management of its "open water" resources:
Hilsa Conservation: Often cited as a global gold standard, Bangladesh’s management of the Hilsa shad (the national fish) has led to a production surge. Half of the country’s total open-water catch is now comprised of Hilsa, thanks to seasonal fishing bans and protected sanctuaries.
The "Haor" and "Beel" Systems: Bangladesh’s unique wetlands (Haors) and floodplains (Beels) act as natural nurseries. During the monsoon, nearly half the country becomes a massive inland fishery, allowing for natural breeding that supports millions of artisanal fishers.
Aquaculture Synergy: While this ranking focuses on capture (wild-caught), Bangladesh’s massive aquaculture sector (ranked #5 globally) works in tandem to ensure that freshwater fish remain the most affordable and available protein for the population.
Cultural Staple: In Bangladesh, "Mache-Bhate Bangali" (Fish and Rice make a Bengali) is more than a proverb—it is an economic reality. The internal demand ensures that almost 100% of the inland catch is consumed domestically, directly tackling malnutrition.
Environmental and Structural Challenges
Despite its #2 ranking, the report identifies critical threats to Bangladesh’s inland yields:
Siltation and Habitat Loss: Many of the 200+ native fish species are threatened as rivers fill with silt and wetlands are converted for agricultural use.
Climate Change: As a low-lying delta, Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to salinity intrusion. Rising sea levels are pushing saltwater further inland, threatening freshwater species in the southern districts.
Pollution: Industrial runoff and agricultural pesticides in the major river systems (Padma, Meghna, Jamuna) pose long-term risks to the health of the wild fish stocks.
Future Outlook: Sustainable Management
The FAO advocates for a "Blue Transformation" in Bangladesh that focuses on habitat restoration. By dredging silted rivers and expanding fish sanctuaries, Bangladesh aims to not only maintain its #2 rank but to increase the diversity of the 260+ freshwater species found in its waters.
Myanmar’s Inland Fisheries: The Riverine Powerhouse in SOFIA 2024
In the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Myanmar maintains its position as one of the world's most significant contributors to freshwater food systems. While the global inland catch totals 11.3 million tonnes, Myanmar stands out for its high reliance on "open-water" fisheries, which serve as the backbone of the nation’s nutrition and rural economy.
Myanmar consistently ranks among the top five nations globally for inland capture, driven by its vast river deltas and unique "leasable" fishery management system.
Myanmar Inland Fisheries Scorecard
The following figures represent Myanmar's performance in the latest global assessment (reflecting 2022 data).
| Metric | Performance Value | Global Ranking |
| 🇲🇲 Annual Inland Catch | 0.9 Million Tonnes | #4 |
| 🌊 Primary Ecosystem | Ayeyarwady & Chindwin River Basins | Key Resource |
| 🐟 Leading Species | Rohu, Hilsa, and Striped Snakehead | High Diversity |
| 🍱 Dietary Importance | ~50% of animal protein intake | Critical |
| 🛶 Sector Type | Artisanal & Leasable Fisheries | Unique Model |
The Pillars of Myanmar's Freshwater Success
Myanmar's high ranking is tied to its distinctive hydrological landscape and traditional management practices:
The Ayeyarwady Delta: Often called the "lifeblood" of the nation, this massive delta system provides nutrient-rich floodplains that support immense wild fish populations. During the monsoon, these floodplains expand, creating seasonal "open-water" fisheries accessible to millions.
Leasable Fisheries (Inland): Myanmar uses a unique "Inland Leasable Fishery" system where specific water bodies are auctioned to local communities or individuals. This model encourages local management and helps maintain high yields in flood-prone areas.
Artisanal Dominance: Over 90% of Myanmar's inland catch is harvested by small-scale fishers. This ensures that the protein produced is consumed locally, directly supporting the food security of rural communities in the Central Dry Zone and Delta regions.
Cultural Staple (Ngapi): Fish is the most consumed animal protein in Myanmar, often processed into Ngapi (fish paste). This high internal demand drives a robust and resilient local market that operates independently of global trade fluctuations.
Challenges and Environmental Pressures
The report highlights several factors that threaten the sustainability of Myanmar's #4 global position:
Hydropower & Damming: The construction of dams on the upper Ayeyarwady and its tributaries threatens to block the migration routes of commercially vital species like the Hilsa shad.
Habitat Degradation: Deforestation and agricultural runoff lead to siltation in rivers, reducing the depth and quality of the breeding grounds in the "Haor-like" wetlands of the north.
Climate Change: Unpredictable monsoon patterns and rising temperatures are beginning to affect the timing of "flood-pulse" fisheries, which rely on consistent seasonal flooding.
Blue Transformation in Myanmar
The FAO encourages Myanmar to integrate its inland fisheries into broader water-use planning. The "Blue Transformation" roadmap for Myanmar focuses on protecting migratory corridors and improving data collection. Currently, because many inland catches are consumed at the village level, it is believed the official 0.9 million tonne figure may even be an underestimate of the true harvest.
Uganda’s Inland Fisheries: The African Leader in SOFIA 2024
In the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Uganda is recognized as a dominant force in African inland fisheries. While global inland capture remains steady at 11.3 million tonnes, Uganda stands out as the top producer in Africa and a top-tier player globally. The nation's fishing sector is centered around the "blue heart" of the continent—Lake Victoria—and serves as a primary driver of regional trade and food security.
Uganda Inland Fisheries Scorecard
The following data reflects Uganda's performance and its critical role in the East African freshwater economy.
| Metric | Performance Value | Global/Regional Context |
| 🇺🇬 Inland Capture Production | ~0.6 Million Tonnes | #1 in Africa / #5-6 Globally |
| 🌊 Primary Ecosystem | Lake Victoria (Uganda waters) | World's 2nd Largest FW Lake |
| 🐟 Leading Species | Nile Perch, Nile Tilapia, Silver Cyprinid (Mukene) | High Export Value |
| 👩🌾 Employment | ~1.2 Million People | Direct & Indirect Livelihoods |
| 📈 Aquaculture Trend | ~100,000 Tonnes | Rapidly Growing Sub-sector |
Key Drivers of Uganda's Success
Uganda’s high ranking in the SOFIA report is due to its unique geography and the high commercial value of its fish stocks:
Lake Victoria Dominance: Uganda controls about 45% of Lake Victoria's surface area. This single water body provides the majority of the country's catch, particularly the world-renowned Nile Perch, which is a major export to the European Union and North America.
The "Mukene" Factor: The Silver Cyprinid (known locally as Mukene) has seen a rise in catch volumes. While smaller and less valuable than Nile Perch, it is essential for local nutrition and is increasingly used in the production of high-quality animal feed.
Artisanal and Small-Scale Focus: Over 90% of the inland catch in Uganda comes from small-scale fishers using traditional wooden boats (ssese boats). This decentralized model ensures that the economic benefits of fishing reach thousands of riparian communities.
Strategic Export Hub: Unlike many other inland fishing nations that consume their entire catch domestically, Uganda has a well-developed processing industry. This allows the country to earn significant foreign exchange from its freshwater resources.
Challenges and Sustainability Concerns
The FAO report also highlights the delicate balance Uganda must maintain to keep its inland waters productive:
Overfishing & Illegal Gear: The high demand for Nile Perch has led to increased fishing pressure. The use of illegal, small-mesh nets remains a challenge, as it captures juvenile fish before they can reproduce.
Environmental Degradation: Pollution from urban runoff and the spread of invasive species like the water hyacinth can clog landing sites and deplete oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish health.
Climate Change: Rising water levels and changing temperatures in the African Great Lakes are beginning to alter the breeding patterns of tilapia and other native species.
The Way Forward: "Blue Transformation"
The FAO identifies Uganda as a key candidate for "Blue Transformation." By shifting focus toward sustainable management and reducing post-harvest losses (which can be as high as 20–30% in artisanal settings), Uganda aims to increase the value of its catch without over-extracting from the lakes.
Indonesia’s Inland Fisheries: Biodiversity and Livelihoods in SOFIA 2024
In the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Indonesia is highlighted as a global heavyweight in aquatic production, ranking as the fifth-largest producer of inland capture fisheries worldwide. While Indonesia is more famous for its sprawling marine territories, its vast freshwater ecosystems—spanning the rivers of Kalimantan, the lakes of Sumatra, and the floodplains of Java—contribute a significant 0.5 million tonnes to the global inland catch.
Indonesia Inland Fisheries Scorecard
The following data highlights Indonesia's standing within the 11.3 million-tonne global inland capture sector.
| Metric | Performance Value | Global Ranking |
| 🇮🇩 Annual Inland Catch | 0.5 Million Tonnes | #5 |
| 🐟 Primary Species | Snakeheads, Catfish, Eels, and Arowana | High Biodiversity |
| 🛶 Employment | Millions of Small-Scale Fishers | Major Employer |
| 🏞️ Key Regions | Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Java | High-Value Basins |
| 📈 Sector Focus | Biodiversity & Conservation | "IFish" Priority |
The Unique Character of Indonesia’s Inland Waters
Indonesia’s inland fisheries are distinct from its neighbors due to their high biodiversity and integration with local customary practices:
Geographic Diversity: Indonesia's inland catch is harvested from a massive variety of habitats, including the "blackwater" rivers of Kalimantan (Borneo), high-altitude lakes in Sumatra, and seasonal floodplains across the archipelago.
High-Value Species: Unlike regions focused on bulk carps, Indonesia is a major source of high-value specialty species. The report and related initiatives (like the IFish project) emphasize the importance of species like Eels (Cilacap) and Arowana (Kapuas River), which serve both as food and high-value commodities.
Traditional Management: Many Indonesian inland fisheries are managed under local wisdom systems, such as Lubuk Larangan (protected river pools), which align with the FAO's goals for community-based sustainable management.
Food Security for Remote Areas: In provinces like Central Kalimantan or South Sumatra, inland fish provide the primary source of affordable animal protein for communities living far from the coast.
Challenges and Conservation Efforts
The 2024 report and local experts point to several pressures facing Indonesia's freshwater stocks:
Habitat Conversion: The conversion of peatlands and wetlands for agriculture (such as oil palm) alters the water chemistry and breeding grounds of indigenous fish species.
Overexploitation of Juveniles: For high-value species like eels, the capture of "glass eels" for aquaculture seeds must be strictly managed to prevent the collapse of wild populations.
Invasive Species: The introduction of non-native species into Indonesian lakes has, in some areas, displaced local varieties that were historically dominant in the catch.
The "IFish" and Blue Transformation
Indonesia is a primary partner in the FAO's IFish project, which aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation into inland fisheries. This is a core part of the "Blue Transformation" in Indonesia, focusing on:
Restocking: Releasing endangered and endemic species (like the Arowana) back into their natural habitats.
Data Improvement: Moving beyond estimates to record the actual catch of millions of artisanal fishers to better reflect the sector's 7% contribution to national aquatic food production.
Sustainable Management: Best Practices of Leading Inland Nations
The FAO SOFIA 2024 report underscores that while inland fisheries are remarkably resilient, their continued success depends on moving away from "open access" models toward structured, ecosystem-based management. Leading nations like India, China, and Bangladesh have pioneered specific best practices that serve as global templates for the "Blue Transformation."
Best Practices Scorecard: Leading Countries
The following table summarizes the unique management strategies employed by top producers to sustain their yields amidst environmental and industrial pressures.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Annual Catch (M Tonnes) | Primary Best Practice | Key Strategy Details |
| 1 | India | 🇮🇳 | 1.9 | Culture-Based Capture | Enhancing wild yields by stocking massive reservoirs with fingerlings. |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 🇧🇩 | 1.3 | Incentivized Sanctuaries | "No-Take" zones for Hilsa coupled with food aid for compliant fishers. |
| 3 | China | 🇨🇳 | 1.2 | Ecological Moratoriums | 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze to allow biodiversity recovery. |
| 4 | Myanmar | 🇲🇲 | 0.9 | Leasable Auction System | Community-led stewardship of floodplains to prevent over-extraction. |
| 5 | Uganda | 🇺🇬 | 0.6 | Regional Co-Management | Cross-border cooperation with neighbors to oversee Lake Victoria. |
| 6 | Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | 0.5 | Customary Pool Laws | Utilizing indigenous "Lubuk Larangan" rules to protect river pools. |
Global Management Benchmarks
1. The "Basin-Level" Approach
A major "best practice" highlighted in SOFIA 2024 is moving beyond simple catch limits to Basin Management. Because inland fish are highly affected by external pressures (dams, pollution, and irrigation), leading nations are integrating fisheries into broader water-use policies.
Example: Indonesia and Myanmar prioritize protecting riparian forests and wetlands, recognizing that healthy habitats are the primary drivers of fish "yield."
2. Incentive-Based Conservation
Sustainable management often requires fishers to stop working during breeding seasons. The most successful practice to ensure compliance is social protection.
Example: Bangladesh provides rice and financial support to millions of fishers during the Hilsa breeding ban. This ensures that the biological "best practice" (sanctuaries) is economically viable for the community.
3. Integrated Rice-Fish Systems
The FAO highlights "Circular" inland fisheries as a way to maximize land use without damaging ecosystems.
Example: China leads in integrated rice-fish systems. By raising fish in rice paddies, the fish eat pests and fertilize the crops, reducing the need for chemical inputs while providing a secondary protein harvest.
4. Post-Harvest Value Upgrading
Reducing loss is a critical best practice that adds "value" without catching more fish. Currently, 20–30% of inland catch is lost due to poor processing.
Example: Uganda has invested in cold-chain infrastructure and value-added processing for Nile Perch, ensuring that more of the "capture" reaches the consumer in high-quality form.
The Impact of "Blue Transformation"
The FAO defines these best practices under the Blue Transformation roadmap, which aims for:
100% Effective Management: Ensuring every inland fishery is subject to some form of structured oversight.
Climate-Resilient Stocking: Using hardy, indigenous species for reservoir stocking (as seen in India).
Gender Equality: Formalizing the roles of women, who make up 62% of the post-harvest sector in inland fisheries.
Conclusion: Inland Fisheries and the Path to 2030
The FAO SOFIA 2024 report makes one thing clear: inland fisheries are no longer the "hidden harvest" of the global food system. Producing 11.3 million tonnes of high-quality protein annually, these freshwater ecosystems are indispensable to the survival and economic stability of billions, particularly in Asia and Africa. As the world moves toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the success of nations like India and Bangladesh proves that with the right mix of community-led stewardship and scientific management, inland waters can remain prolific despite the rising pressures of climate change and urbanization.
The transition toward a "Blue Transformation"—one that prioritizes habitat restoration, minimizes post-harvest waste, and empowers small-scale fishers—is the only way to ensure that our rivers and lakes continue to feed the future. By moving from mere extraction to proactive ecosystem management, the global community can protect these vital "blue lifelines" for generations to come.