The contributions presented at the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission Symposium on
The Effects of Fisheries Management Practises on Freshwater Ecosystems
in 2002 are reviewed. The principal
mechanisms of inland fisheries management concentrate on four categories: fish stock enhancement (stocking and
introductions); rehabilitation and habitat manipulation for fisheries purposes, includingbiomanipulation; fisheries
regulations; and conservation and protection of fish and fisheries. The negative and beneficial impacts of these
activities are summarised and options for improvingthe outputs of fisheries management practices to accrue wider
benefits to society are discussed. Wider stakeholder participation and a shift from traditional fisheries towards
ecosystem-based management approaches are the main mechanism proposed. This calls for new management tools
to cater for legitimate human demand for water abstraction, hydropower generation and effluent disposal, as well
as alternative commercial use of water bodies such as bathing, boating and tourism, in addition to fisheries
exploitation and conservation needs