FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular. No. 1051

by
Robin Welcomme
Imperial College, London
United Kingdom

and

David Lymer
Fisheries Specialist

Download Full Report -1.7 MB

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2012

ABSTRACT

Welcomme, R. & Lymer, D.
An audit of inland capture fishery statistics – Africa.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1051. Rome, FAO. 2012. 61 pp.

Catches from African inland capture fisheries are rising at about 3.7 percent per year. The combined reported catches in 2007 were 2 463 975 tonnes. Catch reports from the 20 highest producing countries (representing more than 94 percent of the total catch) are analysed for consistency by a subjective evaluation based on the form of the data set, knowledge of trends in climate, predicted yield patterns from models of similar fisheries and the results of independent research. The other African countries are examined in less detail. The audit shows that 37 percent of countries reported catches as still rising, 28 percent as falling and 35 percent as stable. The reported catch from about 72 percent of countries is judged to need some clarification before these trends can be fully understood. Particular clarification is needed for the Sahelian zone countries as catches are reported as rising there despite negative climatic conditions. Clarification is also needed for the Congo basin where a historic lack of data collection makes it impossible to estimate the true production and any trends in catch. The regional trend is probably misrepresenting the historical catch levels and hence caution should be used when referencing to the increasing catch figure. In addition, the relatively stable catch per person depicted by this trend should also be referenced with care and could even have been decreasing in the last decades. In conclusion, the potential and future development of inland capture fisheries of Africa cannot be fully assessed until clarification is given on the above mentioned areas relating to the reported statistics. Hence, there is a need for further information to interpret the trends in inland fisheries in Africa and to resolve the paradox of apparently threatened resources and ever growing catches.

Table of Contents

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-107158-8

All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes, including educational purposes, may incur fees. Applications for permission to reproduce or disseminate FAO copyright materials, and all other queries concerning rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to:

Chief
Publishing Policy and Support Branch
Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension - FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy
or by e-mail to: [email protected]