Report of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish of Northwest Africa, Banjul, the Gambia, 18–22 May 2010

The tenth meeting of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa was held in Banjul, the Gambia, from 18 to 22 May 2010. The overall objective of the Working Group is to assess the state of the small pelagic resources in northwest Africa and make recommendations on fisheries management and exploitation options aimed at ensuring optimal and sustainable use of small pelagic fish resources for the benefit of coastal countries. The Group assessed the status of the small pelagic resources in northwest Africa and made projections on the development of the stocks and on future effort and catch levels. The advice for the stocks is given in relation to the agreed reference points F0.1, FMSY, B0.1 and BMSY and on the basis of the projections for the next five years. Total catch of small pelagic fish for the period 1990 to 2009 has been fluctuating with an average of around 1.7 million tonnes. Although important changes were observed in the abundance and exploitation level for some of the stocks, the overall general situation with respect to the state of the different stocks was found to be similar to that of 2009, with the exception of the Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), which this year (2010) was considered overexploited. The Cunene horse mackerel (T. trecae) remains overexploited, and the Small Pelagic Working Group recommends a decrease in catch and effort on the horse mackerels to ensure sustainable harvesting of this stock. With the exception of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in Zone C, the other small pelagic fish stocks in the region are considered to be fully or overexploited. The catches of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) are high for the last three years, probably associated with a good recruitment of year class 2005. The estimated abundance index for 2009 was also high. However, given the uncertainties associated with the last year’s abundance indices, the lack of evidence of another good year class since 2005 and the high observed catches in recent years which exceed what the stock can sustain in the long run, the Working Group continues to be concerned about this stock and still considers it as overexploited. The Working Group reiterates its recommendation to reduce effort on this species and to respect the previously recommended catch levels. Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and bonga (Ethmalosa fimbriata) were also found to be fully exploited. For the two latter species, the Working Group noted that, although the information available to the Group has improved, some deficiencies still remain.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	FAO, Rome (Italy). Fisheries and Aquaculture Dept. eng 185034, FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa eng 18-22 May 2010 Banjul (Gambia) 11509, FAO, Rome (Italy). Dépt. des Pêches et de l'Aquaculture fre 185771, Groupe de Travail de la FAO sur l'Évaluation des Petits Pélagiques au Large de l'Afrique Nord-Occidentale fre 18-22 May 2010 Banjul (Gambia) 188331
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:
Published:	Rome (Italy) FAO 2011
Subjects:	PELAGIC FISHERIES, FISHERY RESOURCES, STOCK ASSESSMENT, FISHERY MANAGEMENT, COASTAL FISHERIES, CAPTURE FISHERIES, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, COOPERATION, CASE STUDIES, PECHE DE CAPTURE, DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE, ETUDE DE CAS, PECHE PELAGIQUE, RESSOURCE HALIEUTIQUE, EVALUATION DES STOCKS, GESTION DES PECHES, PECHE COTIERE, PESCA DE CAPTURA, DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, COOPERACION, ESTUDIOS DE CASOS PRACTICOS, PESCA PELAGICA, RECURSOS PESQUEROS, EVALUACION DE POBLACIONES ICTICAS, ADMINISTRACION PESQUERA, PESCA COSTERA,
Online Access:	http://www.fao.org/3/i2236b/i2236b.pdf
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