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Report of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa. Saly, Senegal, 6–15 May 2008. / Rapport du Groupe de travail de la FAO sur l’évaluation des petits pélagiques au large de l’Afrique nord-occidentale. Saly, Sénégal, 6–15 mai 2008.

Year of publication 2008

Pages 257

Author FAO;Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Division

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 9789250061306

Series title FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report

Series number 2070-6987 - R882

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The eighth meeting of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa was held in Saly, Senegal, from 6 to 15 May 2008. The Group assessed the status of the small pelagic resources in Northwest Africa and made projections on the development of the status of the stocks and on future effort and catch levels. The advices for the stocks are given in relation to the agreed reference points F0.1, FMSY, B0.1 and BMSY and on the basis of the projections for the nex t five years. 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. Sardine in Zone C does not show signs of overexploitation and the estimated biomass index from the regional survey (November–December) increased in 2007 as compared to 2006. Nevertheless, given the fluctuations observed in the abundance of this stock care should be taken in its management. The situation for the sardine stock in Zone A+B seems to have improved since 2006 and this stock is now considered fully exploited. Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) was found to be fully exploited, and the recruitment survey index suggests a good recruitment for 2007. The stock of Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), despite the observed increase in the biomass index estimated by the regional acoustic survey, is still considered overexploited. Because horse mackerel fishery in parts of the zone does not separate the two species, an overall reduction of effort on these species was recommended. Round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) were found to be overexploited and effective management measures will be required to promote their recovery to a productive state.

Statutory body / Meeting title Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF)

Cite this content as:

FAO.Report of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa. Saly, Senegal, 6–15 May 2008.Rapport du Groupe de travail de la FAO sur l’évaluation des petits pélagiques au large de l’Afrique nord-occidentale. Saly, Sénégal, 6–15 mai 2008.FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report/FAO Rapport sur les pêches et l’aquaculture. No. 882. Rome, FAO. 2008. 257p.

Language Bilingual

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