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Securing Freshwater Fisheries for People and Nature

A community-led approach to sustain freshwater ecosystems for biodiversity and food security

Freshwater fisheries Scenes from Latin America and Africa fisheries. © TNC

Despite covering less than 1% of the Earth’s surface area, freshwater ecosystems contain 10% of the world’s known species, including freshwater fisheries that sustain the livelihoods of millions of people around the world and provide food for billions. Freshwater fisheries contribute billions to the global economy and are culturally important among many local residents, traditional communities and Indigenous Peoples.

What do we mean by local residents, Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities?

Our teams and partners on-the-ground engage many communities, both Indigenous and other traditional communities, who live near and use freshwater lakes and rivers. To see with whom we collaborate in our freshwater fisheries work, see our Latin America and Africa pages. Each geography lists our key partners.

Graphic showing decrease in fish populations. It shows an 81 percent decline for migratory fishes, an 88 percent decline for aquatic megafauna, and a 94 percent decline for megafishes.
Global Biodiversity since 1970 Species dependent on inland water ecosystems are declining, including an 85 percent loss of monitored populations of freshwater species (adapted from WWF Living Planet Report) © IUCN WCPA 2024

Although they are globally significant, freshwater fish are in peril.

Freshwater plants and animals have declined by 83% since 1970—far greater than biodiversity declines in any other biome. And one-third of freshwater fish species are now threatened with extinction.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working to reverse this trend and build a healthy, resilient future for the planet’s freshwater ecosystems and fisheries, and the billions of people who depend on them.

We created this website to:

  1. Raise awareness of the importance of freshwater fisheries and the threats they face, and
  2. Share resources and best practices that can help improve the health of our freshwater fisheries and the people who rely on them. Explore our Freshwater Fisheries Resource Hub.
A kingfisher in flight, catching a small fish in its beak as it comes out of the water, with water droplet spray visible.
Freshwater Fisheries A kingfisher hunting for a meal in Colombia. © Ran Castillo/TNC Photo Contest 2021

Through a community-led conservation approach, we elevate traditional knowledge to solve freshwater ecosystem and food security challenges. With a focus on sustaining inland fisheries, we now collaborate with communities, governments and other NGOs across 10 basins in Latin America and Africa.

Children running along the beach.
© Ana Guzmán León

What is Community-Led Conservation?

It is conservation that strengthens the voice, choice and action of traditional communities, Indigenous Peoples and local residents to shape and manage waters and lands in ways that improve peoples’ lives and safeguard biodiversity.

Underwater view of a shoal of freshwater fish.
© João D'Andretta/TNC Photo Contest 2022

Freshwater Biodiversity

Despite the much greater area and total production of marine environments, the species richness of marine and freshwater fishes is similar.

25% of the world’s freshwater fish species are at risk of extinction, from threats like climate change, pollution, flow modification, overfishing and invasive species and disease.

Woman balances a large bowl of small fish on her head.
© Ami Vitale

Rights by the Numbers

Indigenous Peoples govern—through formal or customary rights—much of Earth’s freshwater and terrestrial resources. In many cases, it’s these communities that are best positioned to restore the ecological integrity of our freshwater ecosystems and protect them into the future.

A woman places lots of small fish on a screen.
© Ami Vitale

A Focus on Women’s Roles

Women represent more than 50% of the inland fisheries workforce; however, their interests are often poorly reflected in fishery management decision-making. We strive to lift the voices of women in fisheries management and conservation decisions.

Want to start or refine your freshwater fishery project?

Explore the Resource Hub to learn more about how we integrate equity, biodiversity and human well-being into freshwater fishery practices and community-based co-management.

Resource Hub

Featured Resources

Our Stories

Freshwater Fisheries Workshop in Brazil

In May 2025, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) hosted a Global Freshwater Fisheries Workshop in Alter do Chão, Brazil, bringing together 58 participants from 12 countries.

Zambia: Supporting Thriving Fisheries and the People Who Depend on Them

In Zambia, TNC and partners are working toward improved management of 200,000 hectares of lakes and wetlands and 1,000 kilometers of rivers.

Community-Led Management of Freshwater Fisheries in the Lower Amazon

The Nature Conservancy supports Indigenous people and local communities in securing their rights and developing capacity and resources to effectively manage freshwater fisheries.