EIFAAC European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission

Sustainable management of aquatic genetic resources is essential to ensure the resilience and productivity of both wild and cultured fish populations. This theme will explore innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the conservation, monitoring, and use of genetic resources across all fish species, including aquaculture strains. Topics include national monitoring systems, selective breeding programmes, genetic improvement initiatives, and the role of information systems in supporting effective decision-making. Presentations are also invited on capacity building and on-the-ground practices that support the sustainable use and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in inland waters.
The session will also address the intersection of genetic resource management with broader biodiversity and regulatory frameworks, including the FAO’s State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and EU Regulation 2019/1262 on invasive alien species. Contributions are welcome on the impact of invasive species, including outcomes from the EIFAAC FINS project and the implementation of the European Code of Conduct on Recreational Fishing and Invasive Alien Species. Case studies, policy perspectives, and applied research that advance interdisciplinary collaboration in this field are encouraged.

The welfare of fish throughout the production and restocking cycle is a growing area of focus within aquaculture and inland fisheries management. This theme explores the standards, practices, and innovations that promote welfare for aquatic animals, from hatchery rearing to release into the wild. Topics include fish welfare in aquaculture, animal health management, development of fish therapeutants and vaccines, and compliance with relevant regulations such as Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The role of institutions such as the European Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals and EIFAAC will also be considered. Contributions are invited on procedures of welfare concern—such as grading, handling, transport, harvest —as well as protocols to prevent and control disease in farmed fish populations.

The session also addresses the critical interface between aquaculture and the environment: restocking practices. Presentations will examine the planning, implementation, and outcomes of fish stocking programmes, including benefits, constraints, and best practices. Topics of interest include species-specific release strategies, guidelines for freshwater fish stocking, and the design and use of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess success. By integrating welfare and ecological perspectives, this theme aims to promote evidence-based restocking practices that enhance fish survival, ecosystem health, and long-term sustainability.

Inland aquatic ecosystems across Europe are increasingly affected by climate-induced changes such as rising water temperatures, altered hydrology, extreme weather events, and the emergence of new fish health threats. These shifts are impacting fish populations, disrupting ecosystem balance, and challenging the sustainability of inland fisheries and aquaculture. This theme will explore current research on the environmental impacts of climate change, including the spread of invasive species, disease emergence, and the implications for fishery-dependent communities.

Presentations are invited on climate adaptation strategies, including habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, and the development of more resilient aquaculture practices—such as the use of non-traditional species. The role of policy and regulation will also be highlighted, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of science, policy, and practice, including examples of protocol-driven fishery closures, conceptual landscape-scale models, and adaptive management approaches. The session aims to showcase environmental monitoring, applied research, and collaborative action that support the resilience and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems under changing climatic conditions.

Stock assessment and effective monitoring are fundamental to the sustainable management of freshwater fish resources. This theme will highlight recent advances in fish survey methods and stock assessment approaches, particularly for data-limited fisheries. Topics include lake monitoring, innovative and non-invasive techniques, and the application of novel tools such as advanced electrofishing technologies, tagging systems, genetic markers, and species identification guides. Emphasis will be placed on how these tools inform evidence-based management decisions.

The session will also explore the science-management interface, showcasing developments in fisheries management that incorporate ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Contributions are encouraged on ecosystem-based approaches to inland fisheries, stakeholder engagement in management planning, and governance of shared or transboundary waterbodies. Case studies involving collaboration with river commissions and other cross-border entities are welcome. By bridging field-based science and policy implementation, this theme aims to foster integrated strategies that enhance sustainability, resilience, and the long-term viability of freshwater fish stocks.

Connectivity between rivers and the sea is essential for the life cycles of many iconic migratory fish species such as salmon, eel, and sturgeon. This theme explores the hydrological and ecological factors that influence fish migration, and the measures needed to restore and maintain these critical pathways. Topics include innovations in tagging and tracking technologies, monitoring of fish movements, and the design of effective fish passage solutions, including fish ladders and dam removal initiatives. The session will also address artificial breeding environments and pollution reduction as tools to support population recovery.

Contributions are invited on projects and policies aimed at rehabilitating rivers and restoring aquatic biodiversity, particularly in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Emphasis will be placed on creating free-flowing river systems, re-establishing natural habitats, and integrating ecological restoration with hydropower, flood control, and other water uses. The session encourages intersectoral collaboration, including case studies involving river basin authorities, international frameworks such as NASCO, and community-based conservation. By examining the intersection of connectivity, biodiversity, and governance, this theme seeks to promote sustainable solutions for the conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats.

Engaging stakeholders and the wider public through citizen science is becoming an increasingly valuable approach in fisheries research and management. This theme will explore the evolving role of citizen science in inland fisheries, highlighting its potential to support data collection, foster environmental stewardship—particularly among recreational anglers—and contribute to science-based decision making. Contributions are welcome on innovative tools and platforms, including mobile apps, GIS, artificial intelligence, and mapping technologies that enhance citizen observations and integrate them with professional monitoring systems.

The session will reflect on lessons learned from EIFAAC’s 2024 workshop on citizen science in fisheries (EIFAAC Occasional Paper No. 53) and explore future directions for strengthening the science–policy interface through inclusive data practices. Topics include evaluating the quality and usability of citizen-generated data, combining recreational fishing app outputs with other datasets, and understanding the challenges and benefits of incorporating such data into fisheries management frameworks. Emphasis will also be placed on capacity building, trust-building, and the co-creation of knowledge between citizens, scientists, and policymakers. This theme aims to showcase how citizen science can be both a scientific asset and a tool for promoting public engagement in the sustainable management of aquatic resources.

Freshwater aquaculture contributes to sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and food security in Europe, but its development has slowed down in recent years. This theme will highlight scientific and technical advances in inland aquaculture, including innovations in pond aquaculture, cage culture, recirculation and raceway systems, and Freshwater Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (FIMTA). Topics will include feed management, disease resistance, predator control (e.g. cormorants, herons, otters), and the ecosystem services provided by well-managed aquaculture systems. Special attention will be given to the contributions of promising aquaculture species and value chains in supporting nutrition and economic development.

The session will address strategic frameworks such as the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture, the EU Water Framework Directive, and the European Ocean Pact. Discussions will explore legislative and planning challenges, aquaculture zoning, and the role of national monitoring facilities in ensuring sustainability. Building on the outcomes of the Sixth International Carp Conference (EIFAAC Occasional Paper No. 52), this theme invites contributions on practical innovations and policy developments that can strengthen freshwater aquaculture in Europe. Presentations linking technical progress with broader environmental and food system goals are encouraged, especially those demonstrating how science and innovation can support the future of freshwater aquaculture under changing environmental and socio-economic conditions.

Recreational fishers play a vital and often under-recognised role in supporting aquatic biodiversity, habitat restoration, and sustainable fisheries. This theme explores the environmental and social benefits of recreational fisheries, with a focus on how angling communities contribute to conservation through adaptive management, stewardship, and hands-on involvement in habitat improvement efforts. Topics include best practices in recreational fishing, such as catch-and-release and put-and-take fisheries, as well as the removal of invasive alien species and participatory restoration of freshwater ecosystems.

The session will also highlight the governance dimension of recreational fisheries. Contributions are welcome on trends in angler participation, the role of recreational fishers’ organisations in managing fish stocks, and their collaboration with commercial inland fisheries. Presentations may also examine the strengthening of fisher-led initiatives and the implementation of the EIFAAC Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries. Emphasis will be placed on successful case studies that demonstrate how recreational fishers contribute to broader biodiversity goals and help build resilient freshwater ecosystems. By showcasing the value of this sector, the session aims to inspire greater recognition of recreational fishers as active partners in aquatic conservation and sustainable fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management.