Fisher Perceptions and Management Challenges in KwaZulu‐Natal's Inland Water Bodies

Inland fisheries in South Africa are crucial for the livelihoods of local communities, but they face pressures that threaten the sustainability of small-scale and recreational fishers livelihoods, the latter making the dominant economic contribution. However, distinctions between small-scale and recreational fishing rights are unclear. We aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding economically significant fish species, their contribution to fishers, and how they are spatial distributed across the uMngeni and uThukela Catchment Management Areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Additionally, we addressed the fisher perceptions and use of targetted fish species. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted with fishers between 2021 and 2023 across rivers and impoundments. Our findings highlight several key challenges for inland fisheries management. We found that there are difficulties in categorising fishers, particularly in distinguishing small-scale from recreational fishers, an ambiguity reflected in fishers' self-identifications and practices, with 'subsistence' as a self-identifier. This complexity was further highlighted by the ecological and economic significance of key species, with the invasive <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> having the greatest market value and being the most economically important species. Fishers largely viewed these invasive species through an economic lens, perceiving them as valuable resources and adapting their practices to target their harvest. Regarding fishing behaviours, subsistence fishers were a significant group, reporting weekly or monthly fish consumption and exhibiting a clear preference for river fishing over other waterbody types. Finally, gender significantly influenced participation, with males exhibiting higher fishing frequencies. We conclude that the definitions of inland fisheries in South Africa do not align with the realities on the ground, and the fuzzy boundary between defined small-scale, recreational fisheries and undefined subsistence fishers will likely negatively influence policy implementation. In addition, it highlighted the need for integrated management of South African inland fisheries and economics to sustain inland fisheries that support livelihoods and fish conservation.