134. The world's total production from inland fisheries has increased steadily in the past twenty years. It reached 19 173 642 tons in 1994, comprising just over 20 percent of the world's total landings of all fisheries. Furthermore, inland fisheries are directly related to food security, particularly in Asia and Africa where they provide food, income and employment on a large scale. In 1994, the total fish supply from inland resources in Asia reached 15 279 042 tons, while in Africa it amounted to 1 880 632 tons. Aquaculture represents some 70% of this production and as such plays an important role in the use of inland resources of Asia and Europe. The overall contribution of aquaculture to fish production is significant and rising whereas the capture fisheries sector is more static.
135. The problems associated with the management of inland fisheries are very diverse and complex. fish stocks are affected by a number of factors including pollution (eutrophication, toxic wastes, acid rain), river engineering (impoundments, land drainage, flood alleviation), habitat loss through land reclamation and removal of riparian vegetation, afforestation, introduction of non-native species, and overfishing. Thus the management of inland fisheries is different in nature to that of marine fisheries and is basically focused on protection, mitigation and rehabilitation. These are important components of any inland fisheries management strategy.
136. Excluding the large international lakes and rivers for which international cooperation is vital for the management of their fisheries, most management measures relating to thousands of lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers and estuaries throughout the world need national initiatives and actions. the management of inland fisheries is invariably part of an overall management strategy of these waters. Multiple use of these waters mean that management objectives have to be prioritized among users. For example, a dam may provide electricity and water for agricultural purposes affecting at the same time the floodplain and the migratory route of some species. Management strategies are by nature a set of compromised objectives. These objectives are often set by authorities at local, regional or national levels.
137. International inland fisheries bodies are not expected to manage the inland fisheries of member States. They play the role of promoting a common viewpoint as well as coordinating and facilitating the works of individuals and national institutions on many aspects relating to the management of the inland fisheries. Experiences and views exchanged, shared and discussed are often beneficial and sometimes fundamental to member States in their approach to the management of their inland fisheries.
1. European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC)
I) The present structure of EIFAC
138. EIFAC was established by the Council in 1957 under Article VI-I of the FAO Constitution (Resolution 2/26). Its area of operation is Europe (FAO Statistical Area 05) and its membership is open to all European Member Nations of the Organization whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the European region. The Commission and its subsidiary bodies are financed and administered by the Organization. The terms of reference of the Commission are:
(1) to assist in the collection and dissemination of pertinent information;
(2) to propose and assist in the organization of appropriate symposia;
(3) to promote liaison and cooperation among governmental organizations;
(4) to advise on the evolution of an organized approach among interested governments of this region toward the development of inland fisheries as may seem desirable and feasible; and
(5) to advise on any other matters appropriate to the promotion of the development and utilization of the inland fisheries within the competence of the Organization.
139. At its Nineteenth Session held in Dublin, Ireland, in June 1996, the Commission established a new Sub-Commission IV to deal with social and economic issues. Thus the four Sub-Commissions would regroup existing and possible new activities. The Commission, as restructured, has the following subsidiary bodies:
Sub-Commission I:
- Working Party on Fishing Gear Selectivity
- Working Party on Crayfish
- Working Party on Eels
- Working Party on Electric Fishing
- Working Party on Introductions and Stocking
- Working Party on Brackishwater Fisheries and Aquaculture
Sub-Commission II:
- Working Party on Fish Diseases and their Control
- Working Party on Water in Aquaculture
- Working Party on Fish and Crustacean Nutrition
- Working Party on Prevention and Control of Bird Predation
- Working Party on Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture
Sub-Commission III:
- Working Party on Influence of Management Practices on the Environment
- Working Party on Effects of Physical Modifications of the Aquatic Habitat on Fish Populations
- Working Party on Accumulated Toxicants in Fish
Sub-Commission IV:
- Working Party on Recreational Fisheries
- Working Party on Legislation Concerning the Aquatic Environment in EIFAC Countries
- Working Party on Education in Fisheries Management
- Working Party on Resolution of Conflicts within River Catchments
- Working Party on Social and Economic Data for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
2. Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL)
I) The Present Structure of COPESCAL
140. COPESCAL was established by the Council in 1976 under Article VI-I of the FAO Constitution (Resolution 4/70). Its area of operation is Latin America and its membership is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which are serviced by the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. The terms of reference of the Commission are:
(a) to promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys and programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilization of inland fishery resources;
(b) to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources; to formulate such measures through subsidiary bodies as required, and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
(c) to encourage efforts on a national basis and, when appropriate, to coordinate such efforts on a regional basis with a view to preserve the quality of water;
(d) to assist in the development of aquaculture and stock improvement, including the control of fish diseases, the importation and introduction of exotic species;
(e) to assist in appraising the economic and recreational values of inland fisheries and their development;
(f) to promote and assist in the utilization of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques;
(g) to promote and assist with activities for the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
(h) to encourage education and training through the establishment or improvement of national and regional institutions and by the promotion and the organization of symposia, seminars, study tours and training centres;
(i) to assist in the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis of data related to inland fisheries;
(j) to assist Member Governments in formulating national and regional programmes to be implemented through sources of international aid to help achieve the objectives referred to in the preceding paragraphs;
(k) to perform such other functions as are related to the rational management and development of inland fisheries in the Region.
141. The Commission has the following subsidiary bodies:
- Executive Committee
- Working Party on Fishery Resources
- Working Party on Fishery Technology
- Working Party on Aquaculture
3. Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA)
I) The Present Structure of CIFA
142. CIFA was established by the Director-General in 1971 under Article VI-2 of the FAO Constitution following the decision of the Council at its Fifty-Sixth Session (Resolution 1/56). Its area of operation is Africa (FAO Statistical Area 01) and its membership is selected by the Director-General from African Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization on the basis of their active interest in inland fishery development in Africa and of their potential contribution to the effective discharge of the functions of the Committee. The terms of reference of the Committee are:
(a) to promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys and programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilization of inland fishery resources;
(b) to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measure for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources, to formulate such measures through subsidiary bodies as required, and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
(c) to promote and coordinate efforts on a national and regional basis to prevent damage to the aquatic environment, including the prevention and control of water pollution;
(d) to assist in the development of fish culture and stock improvement, including the control of fish diseases and the importation of exotic species;
(e) to promote and assist in the utilization of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques;
(f) to promote and assist activities concerned with the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
(g) to encourage education and training through the establishment or improvement of national and regional institutions and by the promotion and the organization of symposia, seminars, study tours and training centres;
(h) to assist in the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis of statistical, biological and environmental data and other inland fishery information; and
(i) to assist Member Governments in formulating national and regional programmes to be implemented through sources of international aid to help achieve the objectives referred to in the preceding paragraphs.
143. The Committee has the following subsidiary bodies:
- Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria
- Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika
- Sub-committee for the Protection and Development of the Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone
- Working Party on Aquaculture
- Working Party on Stock Assessment
- Working Party on Floodplain Fisheries
- Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries
4. APFIC Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Committee (AIFIC)
144. AIFIC was established as a result of restructuring of APFIC in 1993 and has not held any session yet. It is a subsidiary body of APFIC operating under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The terms of reference of AIFIC are:
a) to keep under review the state of these resources, of the industries based on them and of their environment;
b) to formulate and recommend measures an to initiate and carry out programmes or projects to:
i) increase the efficiency and sustainable productivity of inland fisheries and aquaculture;
ii) conserve and manage resources;
iii) protect resources from pollution;
c) to keep under review the economic and social aspects of fishing communities and recommend measures aimed at improving the living and working conditions of those involved in inland fisheries and aquaculture and otherwise at improving their contribution to social and economic goals;
d) to encourage, recommend, coordinate and undertake, as appropriate, research, training and extension activities in all aspects of sustainable inland fisheries and aquaculture;
e) to assemble, publish and disseminate information regarding the living inland aquatic resources, fisheries based on these resources and aquaculture;
f) to direct and provide guidance to the relevant Working Parties established under this Committee; and
g) to carry out such other activities as may be necessary for the Commission to achieve its purpose as defined above.
145. The Committee has the following subsidiary bodies:
- Working Party on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries
- Joint Working Party on Fishery Statistics and Economics
- Joint Working Party on Fish Technology and Marketing
The two Joint Working Party will also serve APFIC Committee on Marine Fisheries.
146. Strengthening of FAO inland fishery bodies does not require fundamental changes to the present structure and functions of these bodies. They need an increased financial and resources support by their members in addition to those already provided by the Organization.
