IGCC/GCLME FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS

Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS
A GUIDE TO FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Proceedings of the GCLME Regional Workshop, Douala, 2009

Interim Guinea Current Commission /
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS AND
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES IN THE GCLME

Proceedings of the GCLME Regional Workshop, Douala, 2009

Edited by:
Dr. Mohamed B.D. Seisay
Mr. Olu Sarr

Supervised by:
Dr. Stephen Maxwell Donkor

Designed by:
Yvonne A. Botwe

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One Page
Workshop Proceedings, Recommendations and Conclusions

Table of Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Foreword
1.1 Introduction 7
1.1.1. Workshop Objectives 7
1.1.2 Conduct and Organization of the Workshop 8
1.1.3. Main Outcomes 8
1.1.4. Outlook and Recommendations 9
1.2. Context, Justification and Recommendations for Suggested
Outlook Actions 10
1.2.1. Convene Meeting of Major Shrimp Producing Countries 10
1.3. Sub regional Approaches for Beach Seine Fisheries 11
1.4. Strengthen Institutional Arrangements in the Management
of Small Pelagic Resources 11
1.4.1. Justification 11
1.5. Strengthen Cooperation between GCLME Project and
Sub regional Fisheries Organizations 12
1.6. Strengthen collaboration between the GCLME Project
and the EAF-Nansen Project 13
1.7. Harmonization of legislation and utilization of
MCS-VMS systems 14
1.8. Elaboration of country specific Action Plans 15
1.9. Conclusion 15

Chapter Two
Framework for the Management of Sciaenidae and Sparidae Fishery
Communities in the GCLME Region

2.1. Brief Description of the Fishery 16
2.2. Purpose/overall Objective 16
2.3. Management Objectives 17
2.4. Scope of Management Framework 17
2.5. Operation of the Management Framework 17
2.6. Review of the Management Framework 17

2.7. Key Policy Drivers 17
2.8. Rationale 17
2.9. Conclusion 20

Chapter Three
Framework for the Management of Shrimp Fishery in the GCLME Region

3.1. Description of the shrimp fisheries in the GCLME region 21
3.2. Purpose/overall Objective 22
3.3. Management Objective 22
3.5. Operation of Management Framework 22
3.6. Review of Management Framework 22
3.8. Rationale 23
3.9. Conclusion 27

Chapter Four
Management Framework for Small Pelagic fishery of the Central Gulf of
Guinea

4.1. Description of the Fishery 28
4.2. Overall Objective 29
4.3. Specific Management Objectives 29
4.7. Key Drivers 29
4.8. Strategies 29
4.9. Special considerations 30
4.9.1. Presentation of the Management Framework 31
4.9.2. Conclusions and Recommendations 34

Chapter Five
Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Shared Sardinella
Resources of Angola, Congo Republic, Congo DR and Gabon

5.1. Description of Fisheries 35

5.2. Purpose 36
5.3. Specific Objectives 36
5.7. Key Policy Driver 37
5.8. Rationale 37
5.9. Log Frame for the Management of Sardinella Stocks
of the South 38
5.9.1. Conclusion 42

Chapter Six
Management Framework for Small Pelagic Fishery of the Western Gulf of
Guinea

6.1. Description of the Fisheries 43
6.2. Overall Objective 44
6.4. Operation of the Framework 44
6.5. Key Drivers 44
6.6. Rationale 44
6.7. Conclusion 46

Chapter Seven
Management Framework for Small Pelagic Resources in the Northern Gulf
of Guinea Region

7.1. Brief Description of the Fisheries 47
7.2. Purpose/Overall Objective 47
7.4. Scope of the Management Framework 48
7.5. Operation of the Management Framework 48
7.6. Review of the Management Framework 48
7.8. Rationale 49
7.9. Management Strategies 49
7.9.1. Conclusion 51

ANNEXE A: List of Participants 52

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

BRD By-catch Reduction Device
CECAF Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic
CNSHB Centre National des Sciences Halieutiques de Boussara
DFID Department for International Development
EAF Ecosystem Approach to Marine Fisheries in Developing Countries
GCLME Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem
FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
FCWC Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea
JSWG Joint Scientific Working Group
ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management
IGCC Interim Guinea Current Commission
IPOA International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of
Sharks
IUU Illegal, unreported and unregulated
MCS-VMS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance – Vehicle Monitoring Systems
MPA Marine Protected Area
NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
R/V Research Vessel
SRFC Sub regional Fisheries Commission
TED Turtle Excluding Device
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
WSSD World Summit for Sustainable Development
WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

FORWARD

Fish was plentiful in many coastal markets along the Guinea Current. Alas! Today fish
are far fewer, much smaller and more expensive.

One of the long-term aims of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem project is
the recovery of such depleted living resources in the region and provision of sustained
supplies of this protein source for human consumption. Management of living marine
resources is an urgent transboundary issue with serious implications for food security.
It is a task requiring prudent ecosystem-based management of marine areas and
restoration of degraded coastal habitats.

Some 150 million people living along the coastal zone forming part of the GCLME
region are counting on their governments and scientists to lead such management
action. It would help enhance long-term national and regional food security, restore
fishing as a vital economic activity and so help secure livelihoods.

The GCLME SAP Development project places considerable emphasis on building
regional capacity for a science-based regional ecosystem approach to achieving these
aims. This book provides frameworks for the management of a variety of living
resources once abundant in the Gulf of Guinea area; actions being taken; what the
stakeholders need to accomplish immediately; and sets out strategic fisheries
management objectives.

While stocks of marine living resources may recover slowly, application of the fisheries
management plans contained in this book are a starting point and could go a long way to
halting the present decline.

Stephen Maxwell Donkor, Ph.D
Executive Secretary and Regional Project Coordinator,
Interim Guinea Current Commission

CHAPTER ONE

Workshop Proceedings, Recommendations and Conclusions

1.1. Introduction
A regional workshop on the formulation and implementation of fisheries
management plans organized by the Project EGRAFO4001-BL 1758 “Combating Living
Resources Depletion and Coastal Area Degradation in the Guinea Current Large
Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) through Ecosystem-based Regional Actions” was held in
Douala, Cameroon, from 2 to 7 November 2009. The workshop was opened by Dr.
Wassouni Amadou, director of the environment, Ministry of the Environment of
Cameroon and National GCLME director.

Experts from 13 of the 16 GCLME countries and partners of the Project participated at
the workshop. The representatives from Benin, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia were
unable to attend. Besides the fisheries expert of the GCLME Project, Dr. Oumarou
Njifonjou, and the principal resource person/consultant to the workshop, Dr. Benedict
P. Satia, a representative of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, (Dr. Bradford Brown); as well as Dr. Kwame Koranteng, a
representative, and coordinator of the EAF-NANSEN Project of the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), provided technical assistance at the
workshop. The list of participants is given as Annex A.

1.1.1. Workshop Objectives
The workshop had the following objectives:
v Improve understanding of the status of the resources in GCLME area
v knowledge on the principles of developing fisheries management
Enhance
plans
v individual skills of participants in developing plans
Improve the
v collaboration among and between countries in the management
Strengthen
of resources

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1.1.2 Conduct and Organization of the Workshop
The workshop was conducted in a participatory and iterative manner. All the main
documents were available to participants at least two weeks before the meeting,
making it possible for participants to acquaint themselves with the contents of the
documents before the workshop; and thus reducing time devoted to lecture-type
presentations. The workshop was 15 per cent lecture and 85 per cent hands-on
exercises. Prior to the workshop, a questionnaire survey on management practices in
the GCLME area was conducted, analyzed and the results made available to all
participants. The questionnaire survey facilitated efforts by participants at the
workshop to:
Ø state of fisheries management in the region
Assess the
Ø Mainstream and guide discussion on “Development of Fisheries
Management Plans”
Ø the thought process of participants in relation to elements and
Stimulate
strategies that are often used in the development of fisheries management
plans
In addition, participants worked in small groups. The groups were based on the natural
subdivision of the GCLME region into four sub-ecoregions. The rationale of working in
small groups was to:
§ Enhance the participatory nature of the workshop, as all participants have
ample opportunity to contribute to the groups' efforts
§ Provide a means of engendering broader and deeper discussion on concepts
and issues, relating to the formulation of plans
§ Encourage cooperation among and between countries in the region
§ Further encourage the development of individual skills among participants
through hands-on exercises
Participants had the opportunity to prepare and make presentations on the state of
fisheries management in their respective countries with emphasis on transboundary
issues and the available data and statistics on the sector.
A wrap-up session was held at the end of the workshop. During the session
participants determined the main outcomes; ways to enhance the outputs of the
workshop; and evaluated the overall context and organization of the workshop
(logistics, quality of materials made available, presentation and conduct of the
workshop, the usefulness and potential effects of the workshop on participants'
output, etc).

1.1.3. Main Outcomes
The main outcomes are the following:
• Participants' appreciation of the importance of developing management
frameworks was greatly increased
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• Participants also understood the constraints in formulating management
frameworks or plans, a factor that contributes to the limited number of
management plans on the fish stocks in the area
• Collaboration among and between countries on several aspects of the
fisheries sector, particularly fisheries management, was enhanced
• The individual technical skills of participants was improved and they were
able, as part of the learning process, to develop management frameworks
on:
Øfishery
Shrimp
Ø fin fish fishery
Demersal
Ø Small pelagic fishery (four different stocks) on the basis of
naturally determined eco-regions

Participants pointed out that the workshop had other secondary outcomes such as:

§Affording them the opportunity to be informed of recent developments of the
sector in the region
§Created awareness among them of weaknesses in fisheries governance and
the high rate of by-catch in the fisheries including their adverse ecological and
financial effects
§Demonstrated the need for greater cooperation and collaboration among
countries, on issues related to the fisheries including the exchange of
information in the region
§Enabled them to better appreciate the importance of having good statistics
on the fisheries sector, to involve stakeholders and adopt a participatory and
iterative process not only in developing fisheries management frameworks
but in other aspects of their work
§ need to ensure management frameworks are kept as simple as possible,
The
undertake risks assessments and cost-benefit analysis in developing
management frameworks

1.1.4. Outlook and Recommendations
The following are seven priority areas that were identified for action to enhance,
further, the outcomes of the workshop:
v GCLME Project should convene a meeting of the major shrimp countries in the
GCLME region in order to facilitate the exchange of information and
experiences on transboundary issues related to the sustainable management
of this very important resource.
v should assist countries of Western Gulf of Guinea to find sub
The Project

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regional approaches for resolving the adverse effects of using beach seines in
that eco-region.
v
The GCLME Project should continue to provide assistance to strengthen
institutional arrangements in the management of small pelagic fisheries in
the southern zone to ensure the sustainable development of the resources.
v Project should take steps to strengthen collaboration with sub
The GCLME
regional fisheries bodies in the area, as well as the FAO Fishery Committee for
the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF), for the effective implementation of
management advice/decisions.
v Project should initiate action to strengthen collaboration with
The GCLME
projects addressing ecosystem-based regional actions and in particular the
FAO/NORAD EAF-Nansen Project with a view to avoiding duplication, create
synergies and for cost-effectiveness.
v Project should provide assistance to enable the completion of the
The GCLME
process on the harmonization of legislation and approaches to the utilization
of MCS-VMS systems in the sub region, as this would contribute to better
compliance and enforcement of management measures.
v should develop country-specific action plans in order to
Countries
operationalize the sub regional management frameworks developed or
elaborated during the workshop.

1.2. Context, Justification and Recommendations for Suggested Outlook
Actions

1.2.1. Convene Meeting of Major Shrimp Producing Countries
The shrimp fishery of which the main species are Penaeus monodon; Penaeus notialis;
Penaeus kerathurus; Parapeneopsis atlantic and Aristeus varidens, Parapenaeus
longirostris (the two latter are deep sea species), plays a pivotal role in the economic
development of Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. However, the
fishery has major ecological and human issues such as high by-catch rates of high-
valued fin fish species including juveniles and habitat degradation by trawl gear. In
addition, limited knowledge concerning stock status and removal of large predators
leading to trophic cascades and distortion in ecosystem functioning, as well as
competition and conflicts among artisanal and industrial fisheries, are major
problems that countries need to tackle. From 2002 to 2008, FAO initiated a worldwide
project to attend to issues and constraints in shrimp fishery and in the process
introduced selective devices such as By-catch Reduction Devices and Turtle Excluding
Devices. Two GCLME countries - Cameroon and Nigeria - were partners with FAO in
that project.

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In view of the ecological, biodiversity and economic importance of shrimp fishery, as
well as the paramount importance for countries to exchange information and
experiences on transboundary issues of this very important resource, participants at
the GCLME at the workshop recommend that:

The GCLME Project should convene a meeting of a working group made up of the
major shrimp producing countries in the GCLME region (Angola, Cameroon, Guinea,
Nigeria and Sierra Leone) to discuss and find appropriate solutions to issues related
to shrimp fishery.

1.3. Sub regional Approaches for Resolving the Adverse Impacts of Using
Beach Seines in the Fisheries of Western Gulf of Guinea
Several fisheries communities in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo use beach
seines along the coasts, in breeding and grow-out areas as well as sensitive or fragile
ecosystems. A significant portion of the catch is juveniles, thus this fishing practice is
contributing to the destruction of the reproductive base of the fishery. The use of this
fishing gear is, therefore, creating tensions and conflicts between fishers and the
fisheries administrations responsible for enforcing management measures. It is
recognized that if the issue is not properly addressed it could adversely affect the
livelihoods of the fisheries communities or lead to the migration of fishers from one
country to another, thereby increasing fishing pressure (effort) on resources. It was in
this context that the DFID/FAO Sustainable Fisheries Livelihood Programme - in
consultation with Benin, Ghana and Togo - initiated activities on resolving the problem
of using beach seines in the fisheries. In 2003 through 2004, a study on the biological
and socio-economic impacts of beach seine fishing in the three countries was
undertaken. However, the DFID/FAO project ended before countries were able to put
together the outcomes in their different countries and agree on a sub regional
approach to resolve the issue.

In order to find a durable solution to this destructive fishing practice, whose negative
impacts are not only biological but ecological and socio-economic, and bearing in
mind that much of the activities have already been undertaken, the workshop
recommends that:

The GCLME Project should assist countries of Western Gulf of Guinea to complete
work and adopt sub regional approaches for resolving the adverse effects of using
beach seines in that region.

1.4. Strengthen Institutional Arrangements in the Management of Small
Pelagic Resources (Sardinella spp.) in the South

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1.4.1. Justification
During the past decade the four southern countries of GCLME (Angola, the Congo
Republic, Congo DR and Gabon) have taken steps to enhance cooperation, improve
their knowledge and exchange experience with regards the Sardinella fishery.
Examples of such activities include workshops organized under the auspices of the
FAO in 1997 and by UNIDO/GCLME in 2006 and 2007, as well as participation in
activities of the R/V DR. Fridtjof Nansen Research Programme on surveys of the fishery
resources of Eastern Gulf of Guinea.

Following the 2006 workshop, it became apparent that the countries needed to work
more closely together to address some of the important recommendations taken at
the workshop, and to forge cooperation in science to generate timely and reliable
information and data in support of management; to establish an institutional
arrangement to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience between the
countries; and to agree on processes to enhance the governance of the fishery,
including effective compliance and enforcement apparatus. Consequently, at the
Second UNIDO/GCLME sponsored workshop held in Luanda, Angola, 5-7 September
2007, the participants agreed to elaborate an Action Plan that would serve as a road
map to move the fishery forward on an agreed schedule of shared responsibilities
among the participating States and stakeholders within each State. The Action Plan
was updated at this workshop and an important component of it is the putting in place
of an institutional arrangement to ensure good governance of the resources so that
these transboundary stocks continue to make significant socio-economic
contributions to these countries, while ensuring the health and well-being of the
ecosystem. The participants at the workshop recommend that:

The GCLME Project should continue to provide assistance to strengthen institutional
arrangements in the management of small pelagic fisheries in the southern zone to
ensure the sustainable development of the resources.

1.5. Strengthen Cooperation between GCLME Project and Sub regional
Fisheries Organizations, as well as with CECAF.
The GCLME area has three sub regional fisheries organizations: the Regional Fishery
Committee for the Gulf of Guinea in the south, whose members are Angola,
Cameroon, Congo Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea,
Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe; the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf
of Guinea covering the countries between and including Nigeria to Liberia; and the
Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (of which the three northern members of GCLME
(Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone) are members. These fisheries organizations
have been established, in the main, to facilitate cooperation between the countries

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with a common interest in the management of fish stocks. For each of these
organizations, policy directives are given and decisions are taken at the Conference of
Ministers which, in principle, meet once a year.

Country representatives at the Interim Guinea Current Commission (IGCC), the policy
and decision-making structure for the GCLME, are generally the ministers' in-charge of
the environment, who may or may not have competence in fisheries matters in their
respective countries. To ensure that fisheries matters, particularly those related to
management, are properly executed it is considered essential that the GCLME Project
should establish strong working relationships with the three sub regional fisheries
organizations, as well as CECAF, whose Scientific Subcommittee is responsible for
assessing the state of fishery resources, and provide management advice. All
countries of the GCLME are members of CECAF and play an active role in the CECAF
Scientific Subcommittee's Working Party for the South, whose area of competence is
the GCLME area. Participants at the workshop recommend that:

The GCLME project should take steps to strengthen collaboration with sub regional
fisheries bodies in the area as well as CECAF for the effective implementation of
management advice/decisions.

1.6. Strengthen Collaboration between the GCLME and the EAF-Nansen
Projects
The participants at the workshop recalled that FAO is currently executing, with the
financial assistance of NORAD, a global project “Strengthening the Knowledge Base
for and Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Marine Fisheries in Developing
Countries” whose acronym is EAF-Nansen. The immediate objective of the FAO's EAF-
Nansen project is to provide fisheries research institutions and management
administrations with additional knowledge on their ecosystems for their use in
planning and monitoring and to further the acceptance of the key principles of the
EAF; the GCLME project aims, inter alia, at recovery and sustenance of depleted
fisheries and restoring degraded habitats.

The participants at the workshop noted the complementarities between the GCLME
and EAF-Nansen projects. They remarked that it was critical that these two projects
work together to avoid overlaps and to ensure effective synergies that would
maximize benefits to the coastal countries, as well as improve the productive
efficiency of both projects in achieving their respective objectives. The workshop
expressed the view that the two projects could strengthen their working relationship
through such instruments as a memorandum of understanding at agency (FAO and
UNIDO) levels for collaboration between the two projects. Participants at the work

13

shop recommend that:

The GCLME should take steps to strengthen collaboration with projects addressing
ecosystem-based regional actions and in particular the FAO/NORAD EAF-NANSEN
Project, with a view to avoiding duplication, create synergies and for cost-
effectiveness.

1.7. Complete Work on the Harmonization of Legislation and Approaches
to the Utilization of MCS-VMS Systems in the Sub region.
In the past decade marine capture fisheries from the region stagnated, and most of
the important demersal resources were either fully exploited or overexploited. At the
same time, fishing effort is increasing and it is estimated that 500 trawlers are
currently operating within the area. Several of the fleets are engaged in illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, resulting in a loss of about US $30 billion
annually to the countries, not to mention the ecological, social and economic impacts
of such activity. Many factors contribute to the prevalence of this phenomenon in the
GCLME area, among them is weak governance and poor monitoring and enforcement
systems - for example, Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and Vehicle
Monitoring Systems (VMS).

In January 2006, the GCLME Project and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) jointly
organized in Accra, Ghana, a regional workshop on “Promoting Sustainable Fisheries
Access Arrangements in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Countries”. One
of the positive outcomes of the workshop was the initiative taken by countries in
Central Gulf of Guinea to harmonize their fisheries legislation and seek common
approaches to improve on monitoring and enforcement of management measures
and reduce the high rate of IUU fishing, estimated at over 40 per cent. The countries
(Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe and
Togo) have held three meetings, and with the help of FAO have harmonized their
legislation. The countries, however, need assistance to meet and agree on the
harmonized legislation and explore ways and means to collaborate in the use of their
MCS-VMS systems, which many of the countries acquired following the 2006
GCLME/WWF workshop. Participants at the GCLME workshop on the formulation and
implementation of fisheries management plans recommend that:

The GCLME Project should provide assistance to enable the completion of the
process on the harmonization of legislation and common approaches to the
utilization of MCS-VMS systems in the sub region, as this would contribute to better
compliance and enforcement of management measures.

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1.8. Elaboration of Country-Specific Action Plans
Participants at the GCLME Regional Workshop on the Formulation and
Implementation of Fisheries Management Plans (Douala, Cameroon, November
2009) developed management frameworks on shrimp fishery, on demersal fin fish
fishery (Sciaenidae and Sparidae communities) as well as sub regional frameworks on
the management of small pelagic fishery at sub regional levels (concerning 2-4
countries). These plans address transboundary issues. In order to operationalize these
plans at national level, it was agreed that participants ensure the plans are validated
by representatives of stakeholders and that a process for implementing the actions
called for in these frameworks be elaborated, including a clear definition of the roles
of the administration and stakeholders should be put in place. The participants at the
workshop agreed that one of the most important elements in the process of
operationalizing the management frameworks that emphasize transboundary issues
was “Country Specific Action Plans”. The workshop recommends that:

Each country of the GCLME should develop and implement “Country-Specific Plans
of Actions” to ensure the implementation, as appropriate, of the contents of the
transboundary management frameworks developed at the workshop.

1.9. Conclusion
All the participants contributed actively to the outcome of the workshop. In their
responses to the Evaluation Questionnaire of the workshop, they indicated that the
organization, logistics and conduct of the workshop was very good. All indicated that
the objectives of the workshop were met, and that the knowledge they had acquired
would contribute to improving their output in their respective countries. Participants
also emphasized the need to monitor the extent to which the outputs of the workshop
were being used, and requested that due consideration be given to the
recommendations coming from the workshop.

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CHAPTER TWO

Framework for Management of Sciaenidae and Sparidae Fishery
Communities in the GCLME Region
2.1. Brief Description of the Fishery
The marine fisheries in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem are exploited by
both the artisanal and industrial fisheries. The fisheries resources are multi-species in
nature and comprise both demersal and pelagic fish as assemblages. They are
exploited by artisanal and industrial fishing fleets. One species/family that constitutes
a high percentage in catch landings within the GCLME region is the Sciaenid family. It
plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the fishermen and food
security.

The Sciaenid family constitutes Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Pseudotolithus typus,
and Pseudotolithus brachygnathus. These species are inshore demersal resources and
largely distributed inshore and can occur in estuaries and brackish waters. They thrive
in a wide-range of salinity. The species can easily grow to about 30 cm in total length,
and lengths in excess of 40 cm have been found. The species has a shoaling behaviour
and migrates along the shore. It is found in greatest abundances from August to
November in most areas in the region.

They are exploited by demersal fish trawlers, and the shrimp trawlers take a large
proportion of them as by-catch. In addition, these species are taken in a variety of
artisanal fishing gear including ring nets, drift nets, beach seines, hook and line, etc.,
and it has been supporting an export oriented onshore processing outfit that
exclusively targets croakers.

2.2. Purpose/Overall Objective
“Sustainable management of the Sciaenidae and Sparidae fish stocks in the Guinea
Current Large Marine Ecosystem”.

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2.3. Management Objectives
Ø status of the Sciaenid and Sparid fish stocks in the GCLME region
Improve
Ø ecosystem wellbeing of the region
Enhance
Ø the socio-economic welfare (livelihood) of the fisheries communities
Improve
Ø fisheries governance.
Enhance

2.4. Scope of Management Framework
This management framework will cover the Sparids (Pagrus caeruleostictus, Pagellus
bellottii, Dentex angloensis, Dentex congoensis, Dentex canariensis, dentex
macrophthalmus) and Sciaenids species (Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Pseudotolithus
typus, Pseudotolithus brachygnathus) in the GCLME region. However, since the
fisheries resources are multi-species in nature and are exploited by multi-gear, it is
implied that the management plan will cover all demersal resources in the GCLME
region.

2.5. Operation of Management Framework
The management framework will cover a period of two years, from January 2010 to
December 2011, and it will be subjected to review by the authorized ministry of
member countries, contingent on any major changes in the exploitation state of these
fish resources. Relevant data generated from the data collection scheme will be
analyzed by research institutes in the region and annual reports on the state of the
resources and management regime will be produced by fisheries directors in the
region. The annual reports would be shared or exchanged between fisheries
institutions in the region.

2.6. Review of Management Framework
The management framework will be reviewed by fisheries institutions and research
centres in the region. Review will be based on the performance indicators.

2.7. Key Policy Drivers
The management framework will be consistent with guiding principles for the
sustainable exploitation and development of the resources such as the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management; the Plan of Implementation of the
World Summit on Sustainable Approach to Fisheries and the Precautionary Approach.

2.8. Rationale
The Sparid family, which constitutes Pagrus caeruleostictus, Pagellus bellottii, Dentex
angloensis, Dentex congoensis, Dentex canariensis, Dentex macrophthalmus, form an
important element in the demersal catch landings in the GCLME region. Most of them

17

spawn in coastal areas and spend their adult lives in deep waters. Some are multiple
spawners. It is a high-valued export species, most of which are deep water dwellers
and are largely exploited by industrial fishing vessels and hook and line artisanal
fisheries using powered motorized craft, with insulated boxes. The bulk of the species
is caught as by-catch in the shrimp fishery in the region.

Unlike the Sparids that mostly live in deep waters, the Sciaenid family, which
comprises Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Pseudotolithus typus, Pseudotolithus
brachygnathus, are found exclusively in inshore coastal waters. They are commercially
exploited by both artisanal and industrial fisheries subsectors in the inshore areas and
form a critical portion of the demersal catch landings in the GCLME region. The bulk of
the species are also caught as by-catch in the shrimp fishery in the region, and over the
last 20 years the juvenile mortality of these species has been increasing as a result of
increase in the by-catch rate in the shrimp fishery. In addition, this situation is
aggravated by the indiscriminate use of destructive fishing methods and illegal fishing
mesh in spawning and nursery areas by artisanal and industrial fisheries.
Furthermore, the removal of mangrove vegetation for fish smoking, boat building,
etc., has degraded spawning and nursery habitats, thereby causing possible stock
recruitment failure or disturbance is stock recruitment. The excessive exploitation of
these species as a result of effort pressure and desire to catch fish has considerably
increased the fishing mortality over the years. The Sparid species/family of fishes
constitutes high percentage in catch landings within the GCLME region and plays an
important role in the socio-economic development of the fishers and food security.

Recent estimates by the CECAF Scientific Sub-Committee on the basis of work
undertaken by the CECAF Scientific Sub-Committee Demersal Working Group (South)
have indicated that both the Sciaenidae and Sparidae species are either fully exploited
or overexploited in the region.

In view of the above, and considering the importance of the sciaenid and Sparids stock
to the sustainable economic development and the ecosystem well-being of this
region, it is necessary to develop a management framework with a view to restoring
the stock and the ecosystem integrity of the region, hence the proposed management
framework.

18

ACTIONS PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PARTICIPANTS TIMELINE
Objective 1: Improve the status of the Sciaenid and Sparid stocks in the GCLME region
1. Reduction of the fishing effort. a. Moratorium on new licenses. Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Begins in January 2010
maritime transport administration. and throughout the plan
The Navy, research Insztitutes. and beyond.

b. Reduction of fishing vessels licensed (5%). January 2010 and
throughout the plan and
beyond.
c. Restriction of vessel sizes limitation (TGB). Throughout the plan and
beyond.
2. Reduction of by-catch and discards. Reduction by 20% during the life of the management plan Research institutes, Ministry of March 2010 and
reduction of by-catch rate from 75% to 60%. Fisheries (Fisheries Observers), the throughout the plan and
Navy and appropriate NGOs. beyond.

3. Control me sh size regulations. a. Decreased number of fishing gears with inappropriate Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
mesh sizes by 10%. maritime transport administration. beyond.
The Navy/ fishers organizations.

b. Increase in the average size of fish landed.
4. Prohibition of fishing in spawning Reduction in incidences of infraction reduced by 10% and Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
areas. reduction in the use of trawl gears in spawning and Navy/ fishers organizations. beyond.
nursery area by 5%.

5. Enforcement of landing obligation in Increase use of designated landing sites and fishing ports. Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
authorized landing sites and ports. Navy, custom officers beyond.

Objective 2: Enhance ecosystem wellbeing in the region

1. Reduce pressure on mangrove and a. Reduce exploitation pressure on mangrove by 5%. Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
other fragile habitats spawning and Navy/ fishers organizations. beyond.
nursery areas.
b. Reduction in the use trawl gears in spawning and
nursery area by 5%.
2. Creation of the marine protected area. a. Initiate the process of establishing of at least one (1) Ministry of March 2010 and
MPA in each country. Fisheries/Environment/Forestry, throughout the plan and
Navy, fishermen organizations, beyond.
research institutes, NGO/INGOs.

3. Reduce land-based pollution. a. Decrease in the levels of pollutants in coastal water by Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
5%. fishermen organizations, research beyond.
institutes/CECAF, industries, SRFC,
COREP, FCWC, GCLME, rural
development, NGO/INGOs.

Objective 3: Improve the livelihoods of fisheries communities
1. Create alternative livelihoods by a. Increase in the number of microcredit projects granted. Other line ministries, socio- May 2010 and
facilitating access to credit. professional organizations, financial throughout the plan and
institutions, SRFC, COREP, FCWC, and beyond.
GCLME NGO/INGOs.

2. Improve social infrastructure and a. At least 1 school and 1 hospital built in coastal zone. Other line ministries, socio- May 2010 and
service delivery. professional organizations, financial throughout the plan and
institutions, SRFC, COREP, FCWC, and beyond.
GCLME NGO/INGOs.

b. Increase in the number appropriate infrastructures for May 2010 and
fisheries development. throughout the plan and
beyond.
c. Increase access to potable water. May 2010 and
throughout the plan and
beyond.
d. Number of school children attending 30%.

19

Objective 4: Enhance fisheries governance issues.

1. Stakeholders consultation In the a. Number of stakeholders involved in decision- making. Ministry of Fisheries/Environment/ January 2010 and
establishment and the implementation Hydrocarbons, fishermen throughout the plan and
of the fishery management plan (co- organizations, research beyond.
management). institutes/CECAF, industries, SRFC,
COREP, FCWC, GCLME NGO/INGOs.

b. Number of consultative meetings held with the January 2010 and
stakeholders. throughout the plan and
beyond.
c. Increase the number of fishers using responsible fishing January 2010 and
by 20 %. throughout the plan and
beyond.
2. Regional and sub regional a. Number of regional and sub regional problems solved Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, January 2010 and
collaboration in sustainable resources through collaboration betwee n countries. fishermen organizations, research throughout the plan and
management. institutes/CECAF, SRFC, COREP, beyond.
FCWC, GCLME NGO/INGOs and
international agencies.

b. Number of attendance of member countries in regional Throughout the plan and
and sub regional meetings, conferences, training beyond.
workshops increasing by 50%.
c. Number of data sharing among member countries Throughout the plan and
increase by 20%. beyond.
3. Create and promote existing socio- a. At least 1 organization established in respective. Ministry of Fisheries/Environment, Throughout the plan and
professional organizations. fishermen organizations/ fishing beyond.
communities, research
institutes/CECAF, SRFC, COREP,
FCWC, GCLME NGO/INGOs and
International agencies.

2.9. CONCLUSION
This management framework addresses transboundary issues. Countries are
expected to operationalize the framework, first by ensuring that it is validated by
stakeholders at national level; and secondly by elaborating “Country Specific Action
Plans” to give effect to the contents of the management framework.

20

CHAPTER THREE

Framework for Management of Shrimp Fishery in the GCLME
Region

3.1. Description of Shrimp Fisheries in the GCLME Region
Shrimps are caught in the shallow and deep waters by artisanal and shrimp trawlers
respectively. Main shrimp caught in the GCLME region are Panaeus monodon, P.
kerathurus, P. notialis and P. atlantica, Parapenaeus longirostris and Aristeus varidens.
The Scientific Sub-Committee of the FAO Fishery Committee for the East Central
Atlantic (CECAF) at its fifth session in December 2007 reported that the main shrimp
stocks in the region were either fully exploited or overexploited. Representatives of
member countries of the GCLME region, at their November 2009 workshop in Douala,
Cameroon, on the formulation and implementation of fisheries management plans,
confirmed that shrimp production in their respective countries was decreasing both
in quantity and quality, further evidence that the shrimp resources were being
overexploited. In Angola, catches of deep sea shrimps were estimated at 6,000 MT in
1990 but the catches have since been erratic and showing a general decline. Shrimp
trawlers are producing more by-catches and discards and the fishery is reported to be
collapsing in some countries. In Ghana, for example, more than 90 per cent of
production is by-catch. In Sierra Leone industrial fishery shrimp production has been
stagnant around 1,400 MT annually.

The shrimp fishery is subjected to excessive pressure particularly by illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, although there are signs fishing capacity by
GCLME countries is reducing. In Angola the fleet comprised 43 trawlers in 2003 but
dropped to 35 in 2008, while in Ghana it has dropped from a high of 13 vessels in 1997
to only 2 in 2008. In Sierra Leone, the number of licensed shrimp trawlers have
declined from a peak of 84 in 1980's to 24 in 2007.

Another characteristic of the fishery is the infringement of regulations pertaining to
fishing grounds. In many countries shrimp trawlers are expected to operate beyond

21

30 m depth but this is hardly respected; resulting in conflicts with the artisanal
fisheries sector, destruction of sensitive habitats and high by-catch rates.
Furthermore, fishery policy decisions in some countries, for example Angola, through
a bilateral fishing agreement with the European Union, adversely affected the fishery.
The agreement has now been suspended.

3.2. Purpose/Overall Objective
Sustainable exploitation of the shrimp resources while conserving biodiversity

3.3. Management Objective
v
Reduce volume of by-catch
vhabitat and environment
Preserve
v
Improve quality and quantity of catch

This management framework will cover Panaeus monodon, P. kerathurus, P. notialis
and P. atlantica, Parapenaeus longirostris and Aristeus varidens in the GCLME region.
However, since the fisheries resources are multi-species in nature and are exploited
by multi-gear, it is implied that in implementing this framework countries will take into
account associated fisheries in the shrimp fishery.
The principal shrimp producing countries in the region are Angola, Cameroon, Gabon,
Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. These are the partner countries in the
implementation of this framework.

The management framework will cover a period of two years from, January 2010 to
December 2011, and will be subjected to review by the authorized ministry of
member countries, contingent on any major changes in the exploitation state of these
fish resources. Relevant data generated from the data collection scheme will be
analyzed by research institutes in the region and an annual report on the state of the
resources and management regime will be produced by fisheries directors in the
region. The annual reports would be shared or exchanged between fisheries
institutions in the region.

centres in the region. Review will be based on the performance indicators.

3.7. Key Policy Drivers
The main goals of the LMEs projects are the recovery of the dwindling resources in the

22

region and to support member countries to take necessary actions towards their
recovery. The outcomes of this management framework will contribute to these goals
in connection with shrimp fishery in the major shrimp producing countries (Angola,
Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone) of GCLME. It also aims to
achieve outcomes that are consistent with broader government objectives for the
management of marine living resources with a view to meeting the objectives of the
2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, in particular the rebuilding of fish stocks and the application of the
Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management principle. In this respect, other key policy
drivers for the management framework are the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries, Ecological Sustainable Development, the Precautionary Approach, and
Integrated Management.

3.8. Rationale
The shrimp fishery of which the main species are Penaeus monodon; Penaeus
notialis; Penaeus Kerathurus; Parapeneopsis atlantic and Aristeus varidens,
Parapenaeus longirostris (the two latter are deep sea species), plays a pivotal role in
the economic development of several countries in the GCLME region. However, the
fishery has major ecological and human issues such as high by-catch rates of high-
valued fin fish species, including juveniles and habitat degradation by trawl gear. In
addition, limited knowledge concerning stock status and removal of large predators,
leading to trophic cascades and distortion in ecosystem functioning, as well as
competition and conflicts among artisanal and industrial fisheries, are major
problems that countries need to tackle. The Fishery Committee for the Eastern
Central Atlantic (CECAF) Scientific Sub-Committee reports that all the important
shrimp fisheries in the GCLME area are either fully exploited or overexploited.

From 2002 to 2008, FAO conducted a worldwide project to deal with issues and
constraints in shrimp fishery and, in the process, introduced selective devices such as
By-catch Reduction Devices (BRDs) and Turtle Excluding Devices (TED). Two GCLME
countries - Cameroon and Nigeria - were partners with FAO in that project.

In view of the present precarious state of the fishery, as well as the ecological,
biodiversity and economic importance of shrimp fishery, countries of the GCLME
region desirous of rebuilding shrimp fishery stocks have developed the following
framework for the sustainable exploitation of the shrimp fishery while conserving
biodiversity.

23

Shrimp Fishery in GCLME Region (Log Frame)
Objective # 1 Reduce volume of by-catch
Actions Performance Participants Reference Points Decision
Indicators Rules
Introduction of Reduced volume Fisheries Current shrimp Compulsory
selective devices in and composition of Department, production as use of the
the fisheries. by-catch and research baseline data. BRD by
discards by 15%. institutes, shrimp
regional fisheries Current volume trawlers
Reduced percent of bodies such as of by-catch. within a
by-catch to total COREP. specific
catch (75% to 60%). Establish current time frame
biomass. (maximum
2 years).

Regulation
of cod end
mesh size
(at least
50mm).

Set up the observer Mapping of the Fisheries Determine Compulsory
programme. fishing grounds. departments, percent fleet for observers
Navy (Port implementation on selected
No landing of authorities, in Nigeria, boats (at
juveniles shrimps. Marine Police, Cameroon, least 25%
operators). Gabon, Ghana, coverage).
Sierra Leone
(5%) and training
for Angola.
Provide alternative Some operators Fisheries Start in
means of livelihood involved in Department, January
by introduction of collection of shells, NGOs, Ministry 2010 and
other profitable exportation of sea of Employment, continue
occupation. cucumbers, etc. research through life
institutes, of Plan.
Reduced number of financial
licensed shrimp institutions,
trawlers. banks.

Reduced pressure
on shrimp stocks.

24

Objective # 2 Preserve habitat and environment
Identification of Number of MPAs Research institutes, Established Compulsory
Marine Protected created (at least one regulatory body, minimum size of use of the
Areas (MPAs) and year in each country). Ministry of individual species BRD by the
regulate. Environment, NGOs of shrimp (each shrimp
and civil society country. trawlers
organizations. within a
specific time
frame
(maximum 2
years).

Identification of Area for MPAs Research institute, October
fishing grounds for established. regulatory body, 2010
licensing purposes. Ministry of
Environment, NGOs
and civil society
organizations.

Identification of Closed area and Research institutes October
breeding grounds and closed season and Fisheries 2010
seasons for closure. established. Department.

Introduction of Number of vessels Research institute Regulation of
selective devices in having selective and Fisheries cod end
the fisheries. devices. Department. mesh size (at
least 50mm).

Enforcement of Reduction of by-catch Fisheries Regulation of
regulations and Department, Navy, cod end
penalties. Increase in biomass Marine Police and mesh size (at
and shrimp the law courts. least 50mm).
production.

Improvement of Increase in quality of Fisheries Compulsory
Monitoring Control shrimp Department, observer on
and Surveillance sponsors, Navy, selected
(MCS) programme (all Improvement in the Marine Police, boats (at
countries. control of fishers. artisanal fishers. least 25%
coverage).

Sensitization of stake Four sensitization Fisheries Start January
holders on fora for stakeholders Department, NGOs, 2010 and
environmental issues organized in a year. CSOs. continue
and resource control. through life
Ease in enforcement of Plan.
of regulations.

25

Objective # 3 Improve quality and quantity of catch
Determination of Increase in biomass Research Established Compulsory use
abundance and shrimp institutes, minimum size of of the BRD by
(biomass), fishing production. Fisheries individual the shrimp
effort and Department, legal species of trawlers within
regulations. and legislative shrimp (each a specific time
bodies. country). frame
(maximum 2
years).

Carry out observer Reduced volume Fisheries/ Established Compulsory
programme and composition of surveillance current observer on
(Determine % fleet by-catch and departments biomass. selected boats
for discards. (Navy, Port (at least 25%
implementation) - Authorities, Established coverage.
Nigeria, Cameroon, Increase in quality marine police, fishing effort.
Gabon, Ghana (5%) (size) of shrimp. emigration). Determination
and Angola of capacities of
(training). Reduced % of by- shrimp vessels
catch to total catch (maximum 300
(75% to 60%). GRT).

Identification of Closed area and Research October 2010
fishing grounds for closed season institutes and
licensing purposes. established. Fisheries
Department.

Identification of Research institute October 2010
breeding grounds and Fisheries
and seasons for Department.
closure.
Improvement of Reduced % of by- Fisheries/ October 2010
Monitoring Control catch to total catch surveillance
and Surveillance (75% to 60%). departments
(MCS) programme (Navy, Port
(all countries). Increase in quality authorities,
(size) of shrimp. Marine Police).

Introduction of Reduced volume Fisheries/ May 2010
selective devices in and composition of surveillance
the fisheries by-catch and departments
discards. (Navy, port
authorities,
Increase in quality Marine Police.
(size) of shrimp.

Reduced % of by-
catch to total catch
(75% to 60%).

26

3.9. Conclusion
This management framework addresses transboundary issues. Countries are
encouraged to take steps to operationalize the framework by having stakeholders of
the sector validate its contents. Countries should also develop “Country Specific
Action Plans” on shrimp fishery.

As expressed by participants at the workshop, the GCLME project should explore the
possibility of assisting the countries concerned in implementing this framework
through the facilitation of working group meetings of the principal shrimp producing
countries (Recommendation #1 of the GCLME Regional Workshop on the Formulation
and Implementation of Fisheries Management Plans).

27

CHAPTER FOUR

Management Framework for Small Pelagic fishery of Central Gulf
of Guinea

4.1. Description of the Fishery
Pelagic stocks such as Sardinella manderensis, S. aurita, Ethmalosa fimbriata, and
Illisha africana are transboundary species between Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, making their sustainable management by individual
countries difficult. These pelagic stocks in the sub region are fully exploited due to
excessive fishing pressures as well as destruction of the resources through pollution;
degradation of habitats; use of destructive fishing gear and methods; non-compliance
to regulations; absence of management plans; and poor synergy between key actors.

Catch figures with respect to the area in question (Central Gulf of Guinea) provides the
following estimates for the three species: 32,842 MT for S. manderensis, 3,745 MT for
S. aurita, and 57,032 MT for E. fimbriata. These stocks contribute significantly to
national food and nutrition security; as well as employment and wealth creation,
especially the poor fisher community. The fishers targeting these species live in
remote and poor environments, and constitute the vulnerable segment of the
population and are generally migrants. It is estimated that 1.8 million persons are
involved in this fishery. The total fishing effort is estimated at 10,000 canoes for Sao
Tome and Cameroon.

There is no concerted or joint effort for the sustainable management of these
resources. Furthermore, whereas there is better knowledge of the demersal fin fish
resources through regular stock assessments, our understanding of the pelagic
species, especially in the inshore area between 0-20m depths, is very limited because
stock assessments have not generally been undertaken in this zone due to the lack of
appropriate research vessels. The resources could, therefore, inadvertently be
depleted.

26

4.2. Overall Objective
Sustainable management of the pelagic stocks within the coastal region of Central
Gulf of Guinea (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe).

4.3. Specific Management Objectives
§Improve knowledge of the state of the resources
§Maximize benefits to the four countries through improved management of
the small pelagic fishery
§Strengthen cooperation in the management of the small pelagic fishery in
Central Gulf of Guinea

The small pelagic fishery of Central Gulf of Guinea is exploited principally by artisanal
(small-scale) harvesters. The principal species in the context of this management
framework are: Sardinella manderensis, S. aurita, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Illisha
Africana

This management framework shall be implemented for two years (January 2010
through December 2011) inclusive, subject to annual reviews and amendments that
are considered necessary by the competent authorities of the four countries, partners
to this framework. Relevant data generated from the data collection scheme will be
analyzed by research institutes in the region and an annual report on the states of the
resources and management regime will be produced by the directors of fisheries in
the respective countries. The annual reports are to be shared or exchanged among
fisheries institutions in the region.

centres in the sub region. Review will be based on the performance indicators.

4.7. Key Drivers
Key drivers identified for the development and implementation of this management
framework include: the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the
Precautionary Approach, the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, Ecological Sustainable
Development, the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development 2002, and Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

4.8. Strategies
§Conduct stock assessment of the pelagic resources

29

§Develop a management framework for each resource
§ better use of the CECAF Scientific Sub-Committee working groups
Make
§Strengthen the capacities and capability of research Institutes
§Strengthen collaboration between fisheries research institutes and fisheries
administrations
§ already established organizations such as COREP and FCWC to facilitate
Use
the implementation of joint management measures
§Develop appropriate system of fisheries statistics and data collection and set
up joint database
§Jointly fund the convention for the harmonization of interventions and
procedures on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance/Vessel Monitoring
Systems
§ joint action for the improvement of the livelihood of fisher folk
Take
§ up appropriate actions for the restoration and protection of degraded
Set
areas
§Jointly implement the management action plan

4.9. Special Considerations
This management framework involves fisheries research, management and
governance. The following specific activities are considered essential for the
successful outcome of the framework:
vof stock assessment once a year
Conduct
v two technical/scientific meetings a year, which could be virtual
Organize
meetings
v management meetings once a year, in the fringes of COREP annual
Organize
meetings
v the management framework at least once a year
Re-evaluate

30

4.9.1. Presentation of the Management Framework
Fisheries Research Component
Actions Performance Participants Timeline
Indicators

1) Conduct Number of stock • Fisheries Two surveys /year
stock assessment and research (Jan-March. & July-
assessment results. Institutes Aug.) 2011.
of the • Fisheries
pelagic Department
stocks. • National
Institute of
Statistics

2) • Number of • Fisheries Training in specific
Strengthen staff trained research subject areas from
the • Increase in the institutes April 2010 and
capacities number of • Trainers ongoing.
and researchers
capability of • Number of
research relevant
Institutes equipments
and coastal acquired
surveillance
units.

Table 2: Fisheries Management Component

Performance Participants Timeline
Indicators

Develop a Framework developed • Fisheries January 2010
management for every fishery. Department
framework • Fisheries
for each research
resource. institutes
• Operators
• NGOs, civil
society
organization
• Processors
• COREP, FCWC

31

Use already • Number of • COREP, FCWC Start with annual
established joint meetings • Ministers meeting of bodies in
organizations organized • Directors of 2010.
such as • Reports of the fisheries and
COREP and meetings research
FCWC to • Resolutions institutes
implement and decisions
joint on
management management
measures.

Develop and Base line data • Fisheries Start May 2010 and
harmonize developed, Joint Department ongoing.
fisheries database developed. • Statistician
Statistics and • Researcher
data Number of published • Fisheries agents
collection; statistical data. and
and set up Stakeholders.
Number of collectors
joint
trained.
database.

Jointly fund • Number of • Fisheries March 2010.
the data Department
convention exchanged • Fisheries MCS Annual funding and
for the • Establishment units actions on quarterly
harmonizatio of VMS • Navy basis.
n of the • Number of • Marine Police
interventions trained • Operator
and surveillance organization
procedures officers • Fisheries NGOs,
on • Number of civil society
Monitoring, poachers organizations,
Control and arrested
Surveillance/ • Number of
Vessel penalties and
Monitoring payments.
Systems.

32

Take joint • Number of • Fisheries Start in March 2011
action for landing sites, Department and ongoing.
the jetties, • Ministries of
improvemen schools, works and
t of the hospitals, fish housing,
livelihood of markets environment
fisheries • Number of • Ports Authority
communities credit as well as other
. schemes line ministries
established as appropriate
• Number of
training
workshops
organized
• Number of
community-
based
surveillance
committees
established

Set up • Number of • Fisheries Start in November
appropriate degraded Department 2010 and ongoing.
actions for areas • Ministries of
the identified environment
restoration • Number of • Scientist and
and areas under research
protection of restoration institutes
degraded • Number of • Fishing
areas. sensitization communities
meetings and
• Number of organizations.
alternative
energy
sources
developed
• Number of
ovens
developed

33

Governance
Component

Jointly • Designation of • Fisheries Start January 2010-
implement national focal Department
the point • Research
management • Number of institutes
framework. coordination • Ministries of
meetings environment,
• Activity and Finance
Evaluation • Operators
reports • Fishermen
• Improvement • Fisheries NGOs
of stocks • Port Authorities
• Navy, Marine
Police

4.9.2. Conclusions and Recommendations
In view of the fact that this management framework addresses transboundary issues
and has not been developed with inputs from other stakeholders of the sector, it is
essential to have its contents validated at national level by the appropriate
stakeholders. Countries should also endeavour to develop “Country Specific Action
Plans” to operationalize the management framework, effectively.

Participants at the GCLME workshop on the formulation and implementation of
fisheries management plans in November 2009 recommended (Recommendation
#6) that the GCLME project should provide assistance to enable the completion of
the process on the harmonization of legislation and common approaches to the
utilization of MCS-VMS systems in the sub region, as this would contribute to better
compliance and enforcement of management measures and the preservation of
the environment.

34

CHAPTER FIVE

Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Shared
Sardinella Resources of Angola, Congo Republic, Congo DR and
Gabon

5.1. Description of the Fisheries
The Sardinella species (Sardinella maderensis and Sardinella aurita) are important
commercial and artisanal fisheries in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the
Republic of Congo and Gabon. These species together with other small pelagic
fisheries are important sources of employment, income and food security for
thousands of fishers and their dependents as well as many other inhabitants in the sub
region and beyond. All the known coastal habitats are utilized by the small pelagic
species including the Sardinella and some of the species are known to occupy more
than one of the habitats for part of their life history. Some of these habitats are
threatened by land-based pollution, by oil spills, by urbanization and by mangrove
deforestation.

Results from several studies indicate that these resources are distributed throughout
the southern sub region of Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME). The
studies also show that the main spawning/breeding grounds are off southern Gabon
(in Mayumba) and sometimes in Congo; and that the fish move south to grow in
Angolan waters and are, indeed, transboundary shared stocks. Although commercial
catch information is available, such data from artisanal fisheries are sparse. Total
catches are around 400,000 MT, while the total estimated biomass is about 600,000
MT. Assessments of the Sardinellas indicate that the resources are underexploited.
However, there is need for caution if the fishery is to be developed, particularly in view
of the uncertainty about the magnitude of catches taken by artisanal fisheries. The
artisanal fishery sector is a virtual open access, resulting in excessive effort over the
years.

Among the four countries, Angola has the more elaborate structure for the

35

administration of its fisheries. However, the other three have in place fisheries laws
and regulations to ensure the sustainable management of their fisheries. These
regulations are generally ignored, in part because of ineffective enforcement. Angola
and Gabon are progressing in monitoring and implementing effective management
for some for these important species.

5.2. Purpose
Sustainable exploitation of the shared small pelagic stocks while conserving
biodiversity in order to:
Avoid overfishing and the possible collapse of the fishery, and provide a foundation for
an ecosystem-based management of the fishery.

5.3. Specific Objectives
•Increase knowledge and understanding of the fishery
•Enhance the governance of the Sardinella fishery
•Minimize the impacts of fishing operations on the fisheries habitats and the
ecosystem
•Improve decision-making in relation to management of the Sardinella fishery
through effective information and communication network

The Action Plan for the shared small pelagic in the sub region of the south involves
Sardinella maderensis and Sardinella aurita. The Plan emphasizes improving fisheries
research, fisheries management and institutional arrangements.

The Action Plan will cover the period January 2010 through December 2011. In order
to operationalize the Plan, its contents will be validated by stakeholders in each of the
partner countries. Each partner to this framework will develop “Country Specific
Action Plans” to facilitate the implementation of this cooperative sub regional plan.
The Action Plan will be subjected to review, at least once yearly, by the authorized
ministry of member countries, contingent on any major changes in the exploitation
state of these fisheries resources. Relevant data generated from the data collection
scheme will be analyzed by research institutes in the region and an annual report on
the state of the resources and management regime will be produced by fisheries
directors in the respective countries. The annual reports are exchanged between
fisheries institutions in the region.

The Action Plan will be reviewed by fisheries institutions and research centres in the
36

sub region. The review will be based on the performance indicators.

5.7. Key Policy Driver
The management framework will be consistent with guiding principles for the
sustainable exploitation and development of the resources such as the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,
the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, and the Plan of Implementation of
the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development, Integrated Coastal Zone
Management, and Precautionary Approach.

5.8. Rationale
During the past decade the four countries have taken steps to enhance cooperation,
improve their knowledge and exchange experience with regards the Sardinella
fishery. Examples of such activities include workshops organized under the auspices of
FAO in 1997 and by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO)/GCLME in 2006, as well as participation in activities of the R/V DR. Fridtjof
Nansen Research Programme on surveys of the fishery resources of Eastern Gulf of
Guinea.
Following the 2006 workshop, it became apparent that the countries needed to work
more closely to attend to some of the important recommendations taken at the
workshop, and to cooperation in generating timely and reliable scientific information
and data in support of management. The countries also needed to establish an
institutional arrangement to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience
among the countries and to agree on processes to enhance the governance of the
fishery, including effective compliance and enforcement apparatus. Consequently, at
the 2nd UNIDO/GCLME sponsored workshop held in Luanda, Angola, 5-7 September
2007, the participants agreed to elaborate an Action Plan that would serve as a road
map to move the fishery forward on agreed schedule of shared responsibilities among
the participating States, and stakeholders within each State. At the GCLME regional
workshop on the formulation and implementation of fisheries management plans in
the GCLME area, at Douala, Cameroon, 2-7 November 2009, representatives of the
four concerned countries updated the Action Plan.

The Sardinella resources are transboundary stocks and makes significant socio-
economic contributions to these countries. The countries will be losing very important
opportunities, now and in the future, in terms of overfishing and the possible collapse
of the fishery, if they fail to manage these stocks jointly and, indeed, the fisheries
under their national jurisdictions.

37

5.9. Log Frame for Management of Sardinella Stocks of the South
Strategy 1: Fisheries Research
Take all reasonable steps to increase knowledge and understanding of the fishery,
and minimize impacts of fishing operations on fishing habitats and ecosystem.

ACTIONS PERFORMANCE PARTICIPANTS TIMELINE
INDICATORS

1. Synthesize and evaluate Benchmark Scientist, March - July 2010.
available literature and data document on the managers and
on the shared Sardinella status of the NGOs.
resources. resources.

2. Collect catch and effort Reports and fish Research and Initiate action in
statistics (artisanal, semi- journal with data fisheries march 2010 in the
industrial and industrial). collected. administration Congo Rep,
staff as well as strengthened in
stakeholders of all Gabon and DRC
countries. and continuing
and improving in
Angola.

3. Implement biological Sampling results Researchers with Initiate action in
sampling system on fish (gonadosomatic involvement of march 2010 in the
landing sites (selection of fish index, length appropriate Congo Rep and
landing sites). frequency of the stakeholders. Gabon,
catches, age of strengthened in
first maturity, DRC and
content stomach). continuing and
improving in
Angola.

4. Establish a functioning Artfish software Statisticians under July 2010
database in each country. working in each research
country. institution
(Angola) and
administration
(Gabon, Congo
Rep and DRC).

5. Undertake/participate in R/V Fridtjof Researchers from Second semester
annual transboundary cruises Nansen report the four countries. of each year.
(survey design for the sub available under
region). EAF-Nansen
project and
GCLME.

38

Comments:
The research priorities are oriented around the most compelling issues. These
priorities, each with equal weight, focus on understanding critical processes in the
fishery. It is hoped that applying the outcome of the knowledge would contribute to
the effective management of the fishery and better stewardship and responsible
resource use.

Strategy 2: Fisheries Management
Take all reasonable steps to enhance the governance of the Sardinella fishery and
ensure the resources are managed in a responsible manner.
ACTIONS PERFORMANCE PARTICIPANTS TIMELINE
INDICATORS

1. Exchange information on the fleet Vessel Fisheries March 2010
authorized to trawl for pelagic fish in registration directorate
the four countries. databank
available in all
four countries.

2. Strengthen cooperation among MCS system Personnel of MCS Initiate action
Countries with regard MCS (use of VMS, working in the units (Maritime in 2010; to be
vessel registers, at sea checks of vessels, countries force in DR Congo, operational
logs and catch by patrol, Observers on (control boats, Congo and by July 2012.
board, port inspections, exchange of VMS). Gabon), and
information, etc). surveillance
directorate
technicians in
Angola.

3. Harmonization of fisheries Regulations and Fisheries Initiate
regulations (prevent excessive international administration discussion in
increasing of fishing vessels in the sub conventions staff with September
region). applied, and no participation of 2010.
significant researchers and
increase of the other Completion
fleet in the stakeholders. by 2012.
countries.

4. Exchange views and information on Availability of Fisheries Long-term
fishing access agreements targeting fishing directorate staff activity that
pelagic resources based on the results agreements, with involvement should start in
of IGCC/WWF workshop. IGCC/WWF of research and 2010 with
workshop report stakeholders. concrete
and other results by
regulations 2012.
shared among
countries.

39

5. Cooperate in preventing activities Progress reports Fisheries Long-term
that undermine efforts for sustainable of cooperation. administration, activity that
management of shared stocks research should start in
(Implement the appropriate provisions institutions and 2010 with
of IPOA-IUU). industrial sector. concrete
results by
2012.

6. Utilize COREP as coordinating COREP workshop Minister of 2010
committee of Sardinella and report. fisheries in each
communicate this to IGCC Secretariat. country.

7. Promote minimizing impacts of Decrease in • Fisheries Ongoing,
fishing operations on fisheries habitats mangroves administra long-term
by using ecosystem approach to exploitation. tion activity, start
fisheries. • Research in 2010.
institution
• MCS staff
in each of
the four
countries

Comments:
The current management regime is not up to the challenge of administering the
resources. Management of resources is uncoordinated and not comprehensive,
compliance and enforcement is ineffective, in part because of the isolated nature in
which the various management systems have been developed in the respective
countries. Implementation of the above priority actions would lay the foundation for
an effective and coordinated management of the fisheries.

Strategy 3: Institutional Arrangements
Take steps to put in place a cooperative management arrangement and improve
decision-making in relation to management of the Sardinella fishery through an
effective information and communication network.

40

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