Year of publication 2007

Pages 167

Author Cochrane, K.L.; Augustyn, C.J.; Bianchi, G.; de Barros, P.; Fairweather, T.; Iitembu, J.; Japp, D.; Kanandjembo, A.; Kilongo, K.; Moroff, N.; Nel, D.; Roux, J.-P.; Shannon, L.J.; van Zyl, B.; Vaz Velho, F.

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 9789251058244

Series title FAO Fisheries Circular

Series number 0429-9337 - C1026

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This report provides the final results and conclusions of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) project LMR/EAF/03/01 “Ecosystem approaches for fisheries management in the BCLME”. The project set out to examine the feasibility of implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem which extends from east of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Angola's Cabinda province in the north. The project, a cooperative effort by BCLME, the managem ent agencies of the three countries and FAO, started in January 2004 and ended in December 2006. The main objective of the project has been to investigate the feasibility of EAF management in the BCLME region through examining the existing issues, problems and needs related to EAF, and considering different management options to achieve sustainable management of the resources at an ecosystem level. The approach followed was to focus on ten of the major fisheries in the three countries. The proje ct used a structured and participatory approach, attempting to engage the range of stakeholders in the countries, in order to identify and prioritize the gaps in the existing, largely conventional, approaches to fisheries management and to describe potential management actions necessary to address those gaps. In a similarly participatory approach, preliminary estimates of the costs and benefits (positive and negative impacts) of those actions specifically related to implementation of EAF have be en made. The costs and benefits were evaluated for each of the broad objectives identified for each fishery. The detailed results, including potential management actions and their costs and benefits, are still preliminary but the issues and the broad management needs and possible actions that have been identified are highly informative. The process that has been developed provides a valuable framework for future refinement and implementation of EAF. The project also considered the applicability of a number of tools and activities that would be important for effective progress in implementation of EAF, in particular methods for improved decision-making, incentives to encourage implementation, institutional requirements and research needs.

Cite this content as:

Language English