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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
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(with reports available):
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• 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).
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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 3 major tuna stocks, managed by ICCAT present the
following status:
• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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).
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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.),
• Quantification and valuation of services and uses.
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.