2.1 Canoe fisheries
2.2 Local semi-industrial and industrial fisheries
2.3 Non-local distant fisheries
Demersal fisheries in the Cape Verde and Sherbro divisions of CECAF can be broadly divided into two: namely the local and the non-local long distance fisheries. The local fisheries can further be sub-divided into the artisanal, semi-industrial and local industrial fisheries.
The artisanal fisheries are still very important in the whole of the Eastern Central Atlantic region. It is estimated that in the Northern Sector of the CECAF area (from Morocco to Liberia) there are more than 16 000 canoes. Most of these canoes are still not mechanized. In some countries, for example Senegal, motorization of these canoes is well advanced. The contribution of canoe catches to the overall fish landings in most of the countries is still substantial but differs in the various countries. In Senegal, the artisanal fishery accounts for about 80 percent of the total marine fish landings. The canoes exploit both pelagic and demersal fish species. The percentage of demersal fish species in the artisanal catches also differ in the various countries. In Senegal where the artisanal fishery is very important, demersal fish species constitute about 40 percent of the canoe landings. In Guinea, it is estimated that 30 percent of the canoe catch is made up of demersal fish species.
Fishing activities of the canoes are very close to their bases. Lack of proper monitoring systems for the landings of the canoes results in inaccurate catch statistics for this sector.
These consist of various types of vessels from small trawlers with inboard engines to medium sized trawlers operating from the main ports in the area. This type of fishery is important in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Senegal. Few vessels in this category also operate from Conakry (Guinea). Catch statistics of this sector are fairly covered. Vessels in this sector operate fairly close to the shore.
The non-local distant fisheries are conducted mainly by foreign countries. However, some African countries, for example Ghana and Nigeria, take part in this exploitation.
Prominent foreign countries participating in this fishery are U.S.S.R., Japan, Poland, Korea, Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Cuba, Portugal and Greece.
The gears usually operated by these fleets are bottom and pelagic trawls catching same pelagic as well as demersal fish species, various crustacea and cephalopods. The exact fleet size of this sector is not known.
Some of the vessels operate from local ports such as Freetown and Dakar. The majority, however, are based in Las Palmas, Canary Islands and fish anywhere along the African coast. Some of these vessels are licensed to operate on the continental shelf of the countries in the area. Whereas some of these vessels fly their national flags, others fly flags of convenience. Some foreign vessels also enter into joint ventures with local companies.
The complicated nature of this fishery has made it difficult for the total catches to be known. Some countries in this fishery submit proper catch data; others, especially some of the major fishing countries, do not provide this information as required by the CECAF statistical system. Catches of most of the vessels flying flags of convenience are not reported.
