The first Ad hoc working group on the sardinella stocks in CECAF Statistical Division 34.3.4 was held at the “Centre de recherches océanographiques”, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from 28 June to 3 July 1976 through the joint efforts of the Fishery Research Unit of Ghana and the “Centre de recherches océanographiques” of Ivory Coast. The apparent collapse of the sardinella stocks and the simultaneous explosion of the triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) were discussed by the working group. Assessment of the collapse of the round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) was difficult due to lack of accurate information on many of the key parameters. In view of the current increase in the landings of S. aurita, a second meeting was planned to re-examine these problems. Scientists were invited from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo to participate in the working group which was originally scheduled to take place at the Fishery Research Unit, Tema, Ghana, from 2 to 7 July 1979. It was, unfortunately, not possible to hold the meeting with all the invited scientists.
An informal meeting was therefore held from 2 to 7 July 1979, under the chairmanship of Mr M.A. Mensah, Director of the Fishery Research Unit with Ghanaian and Togolese scientists (Appendix 1). It was decided at this meeting to discuss items on the agenda (Appendix 2) relating to Ghana and Togo except the evaluations and future work which can be discussed at another meeting to be attended by Ghanaian, Togolese, Ivorian and Senegalese scientists in Abidjan.
This third meeting was held from 24 to 28 September 1979 at the “Centre de recherches océanographiques”, Abidjan, under the chairmanship of Mr A. Fonteneau, of the “Centre de recherches océanographiques” de Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT). Messrs Mensah, Fréon and Ansa-Emmim were nominated rapporteurs.
The CECAF Project1/ wishes to express its gratitude to H.E. The Commissioner for Agriculture and the Director of Fisheries of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. The Minister of Scientific Research and the Director of the “Centre de recherches océanographiques” of the Republic of Ivory Coast for providing facilities for the two meetings.
1/ The CECAF project coded INT/72/074 and entitled in full project for the development of fisheries in the Eastern Central Atlantic, became from 1 January 1980, one component of the larger Interregional Fisheries Development and Management Programme, coded INT/79/019
