Stepping Up: A US Perspective on the Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries

The Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries are global recommendations to address the subordinate position of inland fisheries in sustainability dialogues. Regional and local perspectives are essential for implementing global initiatives. Hence, we surveyed state fisheries agency administrators and American Fisheries Society Governing Board members about the importance, funding, and achievability of the Steps. Respondents rated Science, Communication, and Assessment as highly important, well funded, and achievable steps, unlike Aquaculture and a global Action Plan. Nutrition was rated the most inadequately supported yet achievable step, highlighting an opportunity to promote nutritional contributions of inland fisheries. Opinions were similar between administrators and Governing Board members across U.S. regions, suggesting a foundation for incorporating underemphasized steps into management programs by building multi-organizational partnerships and applying lessons from better integrated steps (e.g., Science, Assessment). Overall, the Steps can advance freshwater science and management in the United States while increasing the visibility of inland fisheries that are rarely prioritized globally.