1. INTRODUCTION

The fishery research vessel “Dr Fridtjof Nansen” called at Djibouti for supplies and change of personnel on 27 February 1981, enroute from mesopelagic fish surveys in the Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden to new research missions in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

On arrival the cruise leader was approached by Government representatives with a request for a pelagic fish survey of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Djibouti.

On the 1 March 1981 a meeting was held onboard the vessel. The participants were:

Government of Djibouti:
Mohammed Moussa Chehen, Chef du Service de l’Elvage et des Pesches
Dini Ibrahim, Directeur de la Peche
René Tello, Conseilleur Peche
UNDP office, Aden:
Bouhled Mahmoud
Institute of Marine Research, Bergen:
Sigmund Myklevoll, Cruise leader
Roald Vindenes, Captain of R/V “Dr Fridtjof Nansen”
Interpreter:
Mohamed Reda Mahmoud Hegazy, Egypt

A survey of Djibouti waters was strongly recommended by the UNDP representative Bouhled Mahmoud. It was pointed out that the vessel’s programme had been planned already up to 18 September, and that the first part particularly had a very strict timetable. It was, however, agreed to apply for a 2-3 days survey, and the Institute of Marine Research, Bergen was contacted.

Permission was granted the same evening, and the Government of Djibouti was informed the next morning. Licence to operate in Djibouti waters was issued immediately, and two representatives of the fisheries authorities joined the vessel.

The short time available did not permit a thorough investigation of the area. It was decided to concentrate upon small pelagic fish species (Carangidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae) which migrate to these waters at this time of the year.

A cruise track suggested by Mr. Bouhled Mahmoud and slightly modified to cover the interests of the Djibouti personnel was approved.

The research staff were:

Youssef Ali Youssef and René Tello (Djibouti),
Mohammed Reda Mahmoud Hegazy (Egypt),
Bjørn Bakken, Walter Løtvedt and Sigmund Myklevoll
(Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway).