After carefully examining the data and other information available, the Working Group hereby proposes a number of recommendations on research, statistics and management of the resources. It expressed satisfaction with the amount of work done on the demersal resources of the sub-region in recent years but felt that in view of the dynamic nature of fisheries and the changes recorded, especially with regard to the disappearance or appearance of certain species, much more needs to be done.
The Working Group noted with concern the poor quality of statistical data available for the meeting, and recommended that all countries in the subregion endeavour to improve their statistics especially on a species basis.
Noting the changes that have taken place in the fisheries, especially of triggerfish, globefish and cuttlefish, the Working Group recommended that studies on the biology and population dynamics of these species be initiated, strengthened or continued. As the triggerfish seems to have vanished from the area, the Working Group expressed the desire to obtain reasons for its apparent disappearance.
The case of cephalopods must also be of primary importance considering their potential as foreign exchange earner for the countries in the subregion. The results of GUINEA-90, although appearing over-optimistic in some cases, must be carefully examined. The Working Group recommended that each country assemble all available information on cephalopods which could eventually be used in a future Working Group probably dedicated to the cephalopods in the sub-region. The Working Group urges scientists in the area to make use of the immense knowledge available on cephalopod resources in the northern zone of the CECAF region.
Increases in the operations of shrimp vessels almost everywhere in the sub-region will unfortunately put considerable pressure on the already over-exploited finfish resources. The Working Group, therefore, calls on the countries in the area to initiate or augment studies on their shrimp resources and fisheries. The Working Group noted the considerable amount of work that had been done before on shrimp resources in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Working Group recommended once again that in any future international surveys to be conducted in the sub-region, the same gear and fishing methods must be used throughout. This will facilitate the comparison of results, especially productivity, obtained in various EEZs.
Active participation of national scientists in the planning, analyses of results and writing of reports of all future surveys in the region was also strongly recommended.
The need for the collection of environmental data during surveys was underscored.
It is obvious from the results of GUINEA-90, reports of national surveys and previous Working Groups that the inshore zone of the continental shelf (that is, in waters of 50 m deep and below) is heavily exploited, or probably overexploited, in the EEZs of all the four countries in the area. During GUINEA-90, catch rates were generally higher in the 50–100 m zone than in the 20–50 m zone. This was true for the total demersal resource and also for certain individual species or groups of species. The only exception was in the western part of Sierra Leone. With this in mind, the Working Group recommended that fishing in the deeper zone on the shelf be encouraged. This will ease pressure on resources in shallower waters. In view of current high prices of fuel and operational costs, this option needs to be approached carefully.
This action will also have the additional benefit of addressing the issue of conflicts between artisanal and industrial fisheries which is a problem throughout the sub-region.
The demersal stocks in the sub-region are heavily fished and effective controls need to be effected to avoid their collapse. Several options are normally available to the fisheries manager but various researches in the area seem to favour controls on mesh sizes. Although this may appear to be the easier option in the circumstances, it may necessitate placing observers on fishing vessels, especially on shrimp and industrial vessels.
The Working Group recommends that some assessment be made of discards of both finfish and shrimps by shrimp vessels. Placing observers on the vessels will aid this work as well as help to enforce whatever regulations there may be on mesh sizes and fishing zones.
In principle, limits on quantities of fish to be taken in any fishery can be achieved through careful control of access to the fishery. The Working Group recommends that access to the demersal fisheries in the sub-region be controlled. On shrimp vessels, especially, in addition to controlling numbers of vessels, limits must be set on GRT, sizes or HP of the vessels.
Lastly, the Working Group saw the need for cooperation among countries in the sub-region in the management of resources. It still sees the need to harmonize fisheries regulations, especially on mesh sizes and conditions for granting access. Such cooperation could also lead to an improvement in the quality of statistical data that vessel operators submit to fisheries authorities.
