1. Opening
2. Adoption of agenda
3. Appointment of rapporteurs
4. Description of the fisheries
This item needs to be updated in view of present trends in fishing activities in Ivory Coast and Ghana. Discussions should include recent abundance of Balistes capriscus in the pelagic fisheries and also the apparent decline and recovery of S. aurita and how these phenomena have affected the fisheries.
5. Review of available data (1964-1978)
5.1 Total catch6. EvaluationsIvorian and Ghanaian participants will be required to update total catch by species (S. aurita and S. eba) for 1964-1978. It may be necessary to include catches of the two species off Togo.
5.2 Catch and effort data
Catch and effort series used for the 1976 assessments needs to be updated. Ghanaian scientists will be required to present catch and effort series for the purse seine fishery.
5.3 Biological data
New tables of biological information will be made by the group. The group may also review the biology of the two species and long-term increase in stock productivity (spawning, data on larvae recruitment, etc.).
5.4 Oceanographic data
The group will assess the S. aurita and S. eba stocks with improved data. The group should also discuss results of acoustic surveys carried out in the area since 1976. The results of the assessments should be discussed thoroughly with the view to identifying the present state of exploitation and recommend measures that will improve the long term yield. The group will also discuss the effect of environmental conditions on the sardinella fisheries.
7. Future work
The group will recommend such actions that will improve data to be collected, the best approach for future assessments and minimum data to be collected for monitoring the stocks.
8. Periodicity of meetings.
9. Adoption of report and adjournment
