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Rome, 1996

FAO Fisheries Circular No. 922 FIPP/C922

ISSN 0429-9329

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: SITUATION AND OUTLOOK IN 1996
by
Fisheries Department
FAO, Rome, Italy

PREPARATION OF THIS PAPER
The FAO Fisheries Department has prepared a major review entitled The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, which includes eight regional summaries. This Fisheries Circular provides more detailed information for the region of the Sub-Saharan Africa and was used as a basis for preparation of the summary for that region for The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The preparation of the Circular has been the responsibility of a Departmental Working Group consisting of : A. Bonzon (FIPP), F. Teutscher (FIIU), J.M. Kapetsky and M. Pedini (FIRI), K. Cochrane, T. Do Chi and R. Shotton (FIRM) and M. Ansa-Emmim (FIPL). The Working Group has been led by A. Bonzon who, together with D. Gréboval (FIPP), was the principal writer.

The Departmental Working Group wishes to acknowledge the contributions made by R.J. Grainger (FIDI).

 

FAO Fisheries Department.
Fisheries and aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: situation and outlook in 1996.
FAO Fisheries Circular. No. 922. Rome, FAO. 1996. 44p.

ABSTRACT
Globally, the contribution of the fisheries sector to the economy of the Region is largely positive. Over the last decade, significant progress has occurred in terms of artisanal fisheries development, the consolidation of a small industrial base, growing export receipts leading to a positive trade balance, and more recently indications of a promising take off of aquaculture. Catches by distant-water fishing Nations are steadily decreasing. In marine capture fisheries, most demersal stocks are thought to be fully exploited. The main potential for immediate increases of production and supply for local markets lies with low value small pelagics species. Inland fisheries figure importantly in food security providing over 40% of domestic catches. Freshwater production is, however, close to its estimated potential. Since 1990, per caput fish supply follows an alarming negative trend. The major challenge for the fisheries sector will be to maintain current levels of consumption. This will require significant efforts to improve the management of capture fisheries, to support the development of aquaculture and to promote intra-regional trade.

The FAO Fisheries Circular is a vehicle for the distribution of short or ephemeral notes, lists, etc., including provisional versions of documents to be issued later in other series.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A. CURRENT FISHERIES SITUATION
1. THE ROLE OF FISHERIES IN THE ECONOMY: SITUATION AND TRENDS
1.1 The role of fisheries in the regional economy
1.2 The role of regional fisheries in world fisheries

SECTION B. THE FISHERIES SECTOR: SITUATION AND TRENDS
1. MARINE CAPTURE FISHERIES
1.1 Trends in production and status of stocks off the West coast
1.2 Trends in production and status of stocks off the eastern coast
1.3 Fleet performance
2. INLAND CAPTURE FISHERIES
3. AQUACULTURE
4. FISH UTILIZATION, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING
4.1 Fish utilization and distribution
4.2 Intra-regional trade
5. DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION AND NUTRITION
6. INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF FISHERY PRODUCTS
6.1 Export
6.2 Imports
7. TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCUTRE
7.1 Small-scale sector
7.2 Industrial and semi-industrial fisheries
8. INVESTMENT IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR

SECTION C. INSTITUTIONAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
1. MACRO-ECONOMICS AND FISHERIES SECTOR PLANNING
2. NATIONAL POLICIES FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
3. REGIONAL FISHERIES ORGANIZATIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
4. NATIONAL FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIONS
5. FISHERIES RESEARCH AND TRAINING
5.1 Research
5.2 Training

SECTION D. SPECIAL ISSUES
1. USE OF SMALL PELAGIC RESOURCES
2. AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
3. DISCARDS AND POST-HARVEST LOSSES
4. MANAGEMENT OF EXCESS FISHING CAPACITY
5. EXPORT OF FISHERY PRODUCTS AND TRADE LIBERALIZATION

SECTION E. OUTLOOK
1. PRODUCTION AND FISH CONSUMPTION IN 2010
2. PROSPECTS FOR INCREASED DOMESTIC PRODUCTION BY SUB-SECTORS

TABLES
1. Evolution of selected indicators at regional level
2. Domestic production by country (1994)
3. Marine catches by area and origin
4. Trade and supply by country (1993)
5. Production and consumption outlook

FIGURES
1. Domestic inland and marine fishery production
2. Domestic fishery production by country
3. Domestic production by fishing area
4. Domestic fishery production by species categories
5. Value of exports by major fishery commodity groups
6. Value of imports by major fishery commodity groups
7. Value of fishery exports by country
8. Value of fishery imports by country
9. Fishery imports and exports for major trading countries in 1994
10. Imports and exports of major fishery commodities in 1993
11. Fish utilization and food supply
12. Role of fish in proteins supply
13. Catches in CECAF sub-areas 3 and 4 by coastal States and distant-water fishing nations
14. Catches in CECAF sub-areas 3 and 4 by European transition countries