The Socio-Economics of the West, Central and Southern African Coastal Communities

Fish stockmanagement and responsible fishing constitute one of the most critical ecosystem elements requiring constant decision maker attention. Data, information and knowledge related to fish stocks off the coasts of western, central and southern Africa is contstantly being updated and revised. Since the publication of the LME reports that are the source of this synthesis, the latest stock figures point to an alarming trend for which recommendations have been provided by authoritative sources. It is important for decision makers to be informed as to the status of the fish stocks, according to the most recent FAO/CECAFWorking Group on the Assessment of Resources 290 (with reports available): 291 • Demersal stocks: the majority of the stocks assessed are overexploited, the others are fully exploited (the Subgroup North met in Fuengirola, Spain, 18 to 27 November 2013). 292 The results of the assessments confirm the conclusion reached at the last meeting in 2010. • Small pelagics: most of the major stocks are overexploited or fully exploited (Subgroup North, Banjul, Gambia, 19–24 May 2014 and Subgroup South, Pointe Noire, Congo, 17–23 March 2014). Reduction of fishing effort or maintaining catch level to average of last 5 years is recommended for the majority of the stocks. • The Atlantic yellowfin tuna stock was estimated to be overfished in 2010; a new assessment should be done in 2016 but as catches were, over the last years, lower than the TAC of 110,000 t implemented in 2011, the likelihood of the stock recovery is high. 293 • The Atlantic bigeye tuna stock was estimated to be overfished andoverfishingwas occurring in 2014. Projections indicate that catches at the current TAC level of 85,000 t will have around 30% of probability to recover the population to a level that is consistent with the Convention objectives by 2028. Therefore, the Committee recommends to reduce the TAC to a level that would allow the recovery of the stock with higher probability. 294 The 3 major tuna stocks, managed by ICCAT present the following status:

• The skipjack stock status is not fully determined due to the lack of quantitative findings for the eastern stock assessment. It is nevertheless recommended that the catch and effort levels do not exceed the level of catch in recent years (around 30,000 t). 295 Overall, the majority of the fish stocks are in a precarious state and therefore, no increase of the catches can be expected (or should be promoted) in the near future. The reduction of the size of the distant water fleet testifies of the reduction of the attractiveness of the Atlantic African waters For the Abidjan Convention, it is essential to monitor ecosystem services in the LMEs, to ensure that sound political decisions are taken at all levels for the maintenance of these services in the context of global change. A standard method has to be used based on the following examples of practical steps: • Mapping of ecosystems and assessment of their health status, using existing material available in national biodiversity assessments (i.e. for the CBD), integrated costal zone management plans, regional surveys, etc. • Identification of ecosystem services and corresponding direct uses (current ones such as fishery, coastal tourism, mangrove wood collection, and potential ones such bio- products for pharmaceutical and food) and indirect uses (coming from regulating and provisioning services such as carbon sequestration and storage, coastal protection, water treatment, biomass protection, etc.), The convention can coordinate with FAO, UNEP, WTO (World Tourism Organisation), UNECA (UN Economic Commission for Africa), RFMO (Regional Fishery Management Organisations), RFO (Regional Fishery Organisations), the various REC (Regional Economic Commissions) and the countries for purposes of data collection, treatment and validation. • Quantification and valuation of services and uses.

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