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The sustainable management of fisheries, particularly inland fisheries, is important due to their critical role in food security and economic stability. The demand for fishery resources has evolved due to population growth and livelihood pressure. This has intensified the pressure on these resources, leading to overfishing and environmentally destructive practices, which deplete fish stocks and degrade ecosystems. This research work focuses on studying the fishery resources of Patna district in Bihar to analyse the intersection of economic and ecological factors. Fisheries, as “common pool resources”, present unique management challenges because they are non–excludable yet rivalrous, which results in overuse and depletion. This research employs a bioeconomic framework, utilising the Verhulst–Schaefer model to estimate growth and harvest functions and to identify sustainable equilibrium points. Key findings indicate significant overfishing and highlight the necessity of aligning economic incentives with conservation objectives. The identification of biological and economic reference points, such as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) & Maximum Economic Yield (MEY), offers a foundation for developing effective management strategies. This study highlights the importance of adaptive management practices and the promotion of alternative livelihoods to alleviate the pressure on fisheries.
Keywords — Common Pool Resources, Sustainable Management, Inland Fisheries, Natural Resource Economics, Verhulst–Schaefer Model.
