Inland fish and fisheries integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Inland fish provide food for billions and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide and are integral to effective freshwater ecosystem function, yet the recognition of these services is notably absent in development discussions and policies, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). How might the SDGs be enhanced if inland fishery services were integrated into policies and development schemes? Here, we examine the relationships between inland fish, sustainable fisheries, and functioning freshwater systems and the targets of the SDGs. Our goal is to highlight synergies across the SDGs, particularly No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15), that can be achieved with the inclusion of these overlooked inland fishery services. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development establishes a unified set of global aspirations [i.e., the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); see Figure 1 inset] that provide a roadmap for future prosperity by addressing key challenges including world poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy 1. The 169 targets, across 17 SDGs, measured by 232 unique indicators, are ambitious and complex. Interdependencies among targets and the systems that contribute towards them mean that even the most effective efforts to address one global challenge may unintentionally exacerbate others if the efforts overlook potential wider impacts 2-4. Identifying and collecting official global statistics to track progress toward each indicator is an additional challenge; data exists for some indicators, while there are significant deficits for others (see https://ourworldindata.org/sdg-tracker-update). Achieving the holistic vision of the SDGs requires coordination at multiple scales and among sectors 5 , as well as inclusivity of services that * We use the general term "fish" in colloquial reference but, in most instances, "fishes" is more technically accurate as many inland fishery services involve multiple species.

Targeting adaptation to safeguard sustainable development against climate-change impacts

“…Ecosystems and socio-economic sectors can provide such an intermediary, as these are critical both for the SDGs and for climate action. Previous research has highlighted the role of ecosystems and socio-economic sectors for achieving SDG targets [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] , which has been used to inform SDG decision-making in practice 15 . Past research has also estimated risks from climate change on ecosystems and socio-economic sectors [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] , which has informed spatiallyexplicit climate action.…”

Trends in Inland Commercial Fisheries in the United States

“…The appropriate valuation of ecosystem services provided by inland fisheries, both commercial and recreational, also can provide a stronger justification for allocation of adequate resources for their effective management. When fisheries are effectively managed, they can provide additional benefits, including the potential for equitable allocation between commercial and recreational fisheries, environmental and biodiversity benefits relating to conservation of threatened and endangered species, and preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species (see Lynch et al 2020).…”

Fisheries Volume 45 Number 11 November 2020

“…The appropriate valuation of ecosystem services provided by inland fi sheries, both commercial and recreational, also can provide a stronger justifi cation for allocation of adequate resources for their effective management. When fi sheries are effectively managed, they can provide additional benefi ts, including the potential for equitable allocation between commercial and recreational fi sheries, environmental and biodiversity benefi ts relating to conservation of threatened and endangered species, and preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species (see Lynch et al 2020 ).…”