Inland fisheries are important sources of ecosystem services contributing to human diet, health, well-being and economies. The evaluation of the importance and value of inland fisheries is one of the biggest challenges for its development. To develop the inland fisheries data collection, we reviewed the current status of data collection in European countries and provided five detailed country examples. The specific country examples give detailed description of data collection, focusing on: 1) country-wide postal survey (Finland) and 2) web-based survey and development of citizen science approach (Denmark). Example 3) from Ireland focuses on recreational salmonid fishing and conservation limits. There are two examples based on logbook returns: 4) one strict system, which is considered to work well (Czech Republic) and 5) one less controlled system, currently not producing reliable results, and under development (Croatia). Case studies were provided in each country example. Finally, the authors discuss the important aspects of inland fisheries data collection and review the methods to provide recommendations.

These guidelines illustrate recommendations for good practices on data collection in Eastern European inland fisheries, and in particular the Western Balkan region, based on the methodologies and approaches used in countries throughout Europe and from FAO experience of inland fisheries in other regions. They provide guidance on the options available to inland fishery managers based on particular circumstances i.e. commercial fishing or recreational use, and they are especially relevant for assisting the economies-in transition in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. These guidelines are not an overarching work on inland fisheries management, nor do they provide advice on the environmental aspects or competing uses of inland water bodies. They focus on issues of data collection to support fishery managers whether they be government agencies, fishers or angler associations co-responsible for the management of inland resources in European rivers and lakes.

The international symposium on “Inland Fisheries and aquaculture: advances in technology, stock assessment and citizen science in an era of climate change” was organized in conjunction with the thirty-first session of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission in Killarney, Ireland on 20–21 June 2022. The symposium was organized by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The symposium was attended by 105 participants from 14 countries. The main documentation comprised six invited papers and 35 experience papers and 15 posters. The symposium had five major themes, which were: (i) Inland fish stock assessment, (ii) Developments in freshwater fish monitoring technologies with an emphasis on non-destructive methods, (iii) The problems and challenges of climate change and its impacts on inland aquatic resources and fisheries, (iv) Citizen science, and (v) Aquaculture - traditional freshwater systems vs recirculation systems. The symposium provided valuable networking opportunities for the participating scientists, especially young scientists could share their research findings. Many promising studies and innovative technologies and methodologies were presented. This Occasional Paper in conjunction with a special issue of Fisheries Management and Ecology represents the proceedings of the symposium. The thirty-first session of EIFAAC, held in Killarney from 22 to 24 June 2022, discussed and endorsed the conclusions and recommendations from the symposium.

This book provides a detailed evaluation of the hydro-ecological characteristics of the Western Balkans, an area characterized by still preserved inland waters and fish resources important for the European continent, as well as the biodiversity of inland waters important for the planet Earth. Freshwater ecosystems cover only 1% of the Earth's surface; however, they are a habitat for about 40% of fish species. At the same time, inland fisheries make less than 12% of the world's global fish catch, with 43% coming from low-income and food-deficient countries (Africa, South America, Southeast Asia). In Europe, the Western Balkans have significant fishing waters and fish resources, including the Middle Danube drainage (Sava, Drina, Velika Morava river systems), large ancient lakes (Skadar/Shkodra, Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran), and the Adriatic basin characterized by endemic and commercially important species. However, in contrast to the high fishing potential in a significant part of the Western Balkans, diverse and specific political, economic, and social factors largely had a negative impact on the state of fish resources. This volume is multidisciplinary and provides a sound knowledge base for scientific and practical fisheries. In addition, it may be a valuable guide for managers and conservationists worldwide to adapt methods and procedures for the ecological sustainability of fish resources under specific local, natural, and socio-economic conditions. Finally, the content is a good reference for natural sciences and agriculture students studying fish, fish resources, and fisheries sciences. It would improve their knowledge and perspectives on the challenges of sustainable use and conservation of inland water resources.

This document represents the final report of the Regional Consultation for Europe and North America on the development of Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA), held virtually from 27 to 29 April 2021. The objectives of the consultation were to: share current policies and practices related to aquaculture in the regions; review existing regional and national instruments for sustainable aquaculture; develop a list of priority thematic modules considering regional and national strengths and challenges; propose and prioritize possible case study concepts linked to one or more thematic modules; and identify regional priority areas to be included in the GSA.

The Thirty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) was held in Killarney, Ireland, from 22 to 24 June 2022. The Session presented and discussed the results achieved by EIFAAC, its Management Committee and its Technical and Scientific Committee since the Thirtieth Session of EIFAAC in 2019. The Commission adopted four Resolutions and one Recommendation: 1) On EIFAAC Resolutions, Recommendations and Advisory Notes; 2) On the Code of Conduct for Recreational Fisheries and Invasive Alien Species; 3) On the protection of vulnerable and endangered fish species from unsustainable predation from cormorants; 4) On small-scale fisheries and aquaculture; and 5) On the Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries. The Commission also reviewed the endorsed the recommendations from the well-attended EIFAAC International Symposium on “Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture - Advances in Technology, Stock Assessment and Citizen Science in an Era of Climate Change”, held in Killarney, Ireland, from 20 to 21 June 2022. Finally, the Commission reviewed and endorsed the updated EIFAAC Rules of Procedure and the work programme 2022–2024 and elected new officers. The Session and Symposium received generous support from the host organizations, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Irish Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

EIFAC reviewed in depth the status and future direction of the inland fisheries and aquaculture sectors of Europe. The session reviewed EIFAC's activities since 1992 in the fields of fishery biology and management, fish culture and diseases and water pollution control.