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Legislating for an ecosystem approach to fisheries. A review of trends and options in Africa

Year of publication 2011

Pages 159

Product type Project

Series title FAO EAF-Nansen Project Report (FAO)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Although the need for a shift towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) has reached a point of general acceptance by those involved in fisheries management, there is still a need for guidance on how to apply the EAF in practice. The objective of this study has been to provide the countries participating in the Nansen Project with information on the practical adoption and application of the EAF from a legal perspective, in particular by providing guidance on how to implement the EAF in nat ional legislation. The first part of the study reviews available international and regional instruments relevant to the EAF, and highlights the EAF-related principles and concepts that are contained in these instruments. The second part of the study describes how these EAF-related principles and concepts can be implemented in national legislation through identification of the legal and institutional mechanisms and management measures that can support such implementation. This is followed by an a ssessment of how, and to what extent, selected countries participating in the Nansen Project have legislated for EAF at the national level, focusing on both fisheries legislation and other legal frameworks relevant to the EAF. The study is concluded by a synthesis of some of the trends in national EAF implementation in the participating countries.

Language English

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