Highlighting the importance of inland capture fisheries in the Southeast Asian region

Abstract

The Southeast Asian region is endowed with enormous areas of natural inland water resources, such as river systems, lakes, floodplains, reservoirs, dams, and wetlands, as well as a rich diversity of aquatic species. Fishing activities in these inland waters have long been practiced by rural people whose subsistence depends on the inland waters and products. These inland resources have continued to provide them food security through enhanced livelihood and improved incomes for their households. However, the sustainable development and utilization of these inland resources is crucial to sustain the socio-economic well-being of the rural folks. It was towards attaining this objective, among others, that the Inland Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (IFRDMD) of SEAFDEC was established in 2014. Specifically, IFRDMD is mandated to conduct and facilitate research projects on the sustainable development and management of inland fisheries in the Southeast Asian region.