The Second Advisory Roundtable on the Assessment of Inland Fisheries was convened in partnership with United States Geological Service (USGS), from 25 to 27 November 2019. It reviewed the progress of work that had been initiated as a response to the recommendations of the “Advisory Roundtable on the Assessment of Inland Fisheries” that was convened in partnership with the United States Geological Service (USGS) and Michigan State University (MSU) in FAO Rome, from 8 to 10 May 2018. The Second Roundtable covered two aspects of the assessment of inland fisheries. As its first task, the Roundtable reviewed a threat mapping framework developed by USGS and the University of Florida, which seeks to provide a robust assessment method for inland fisheries and the associated ecosystems/basins upon which they depend. This is intended to support the management of aquatic systems and the continued delivery of ecosystem services. The status map that the analysis provides is a visual (and quantifiable) relative indication of the levels of anthropogenic and natural environmental pressures to inland fisheries at the basin or sub-basin level. Five major threats to inland fisheries (and their 21 sub-threat categories) were scored according to global studies and modeling.

Assessment of data-limited fish stocks is a rapidly evolving topic in marine fisheries, and is supported by an increasing focus on the socio-economic and ecological importance of small-scale fisheries. The challenges in such systems can be compounded in inland fisheries, which are often complex, spatially dispersed and difficult to monitor. This publication reviews the application of empirical indicators and simple size-based models usually used in marine fisheries, but also applicable in inland systems. It presents case study applications for important fisheries in the Amazon River (Brazil), Tonlé Sap River (Cambodia), Paraná River (Argentina) and Lago Bayano (Panama). These studies consider issues including spatial separation of life-history stages, strong modality in population size structure, and fishing gear selectivity. Local scientific experts interpreted trends in stock state. Empirical indicators showed strong decline in size structure and relative abundance for one of the four assessed Tonlé Sap stocks. The length-based spawning potential ratio model suggested that two of the three assessed Amazon Goliath catfish stocks, and the sábalo stock in the Paraná River, were below sustainable spawning potential ratio reference points. The Lago Bayano tilapia stock appeared healthy. The review concludes that data-limited assessment methods developed for marine stocks may provide guidance for the sustainable management of important target species in inland fisheries. The methods tested are probably less applicable in non-selective fisheries where small species are preferred, or in river fisheries with extreme dependence on flood pulses. Important considerations are species life history and spatial distribution, environmental variability, and fishery sampling strategy.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2020 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.