More than 7.7 million tonnes of fish were caught in lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, water reservoirs and ponds in 1997, according to preliminary FAO estimates. That is around 6 percent of the total global fish production of 122 million tonnes. Yields may be much higher since data from subsistence fisheries are greatly under-reported. Catches are highest in China, with a production of nearly 1.8 million tonnes.
Recreational fisheries are economically important in Europe and North America.
Most inland fish is consumed locally, marketed domestically, and often contributes to the subsistence and livelihood of poor people. It contributes significantly to animal protein supplies in many rural areas. Land and forest degradation, loss of biodiversity, scarcity and pollution of freshwater are all increasing in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Europe and and the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States are also experiencing increasing biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. Pressures on Asian watersheds are intensifying, which causes concern because they correspond to the most important areas of inland fish production globally.