1. The Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) held its Sixth Session from 7 to 11 October 1985 at the Mulungushi Hall, Lusaka, Zambia, at the kind invitation of the Government of Zambia. The Session was attended by representatives from 26 member countries of the Committee, by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the World Bank, the European Economic Community (EEC) and by observers from Canada, Guinea, Mozambique, Norway, the United States of America and the African Development Bank (ADB). A list of participants is given in Appendix C.
2. The Opening Session was chaired by Dr R.M. El Sherif (Egypt), as Egypt was requested by the Committee at its Fifth Session to remain in office until the election of the new Chairman for the Sixth Session in accordance with Rule II of the new CIFA Rules of Procedure.
3. The Session was opened officially by the Honourable Daniel Munkombwe, Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Development, who welcomed the participants. He said that the prolonged drought which had affected many parts of Africa in recent years had worsened the critical food shortage problems currently facing the continent. If the present trend of low food production, including fisheries, and high population growth continued unchecked, Africa would be faced soon with untold suffering from hunger, malnutrition and poverty, he asserted.
4. The Honourable Minister stressed that there was need to examine existing fisheries institutions to determine if they were structurally suitable for formulating policies and objectives for inland fisheries development and to modify them where necessary.
5. Mr Munkombwe attributed the poor performance of the fishing industry in inland Africa to the lack of suitable technology and skilled manpower to carry out research and management programmes effectively, poor handling, processing and storage facilities, inadequate distribution and marketing systems and lack of funding for fisheries development programmes. Since Africa's fish resources were limited, he underscored the need for CIFA member countries to accord more priority to the development of aquaculture as an alternative source of fish protein production. He, however, warned against the introduction of new species into the fish fauna of African inland waters because of the possible disastrous consequences that species transfers could cause. The Honourable Minister also drew attention to the importance of regional cooperation in fisheries management and development.
6. Mr B.F. Dada, Director, Fishery Policy and Planning Division, FAO, addressed the session on behalf of the Director-General and of the Assistant Director-General (Fisheries). He thanked the Government of Zambia for hosting this session and for the excellent facilities provided.
7. Mr Dada noted that the session was being held against the background of exceptional drought and famine which had affected many parts of Africa during the past two years. He reiterated FAO's efforts to help governments in their long-term plans to rehabilitate the continent's agriculture, including fisheries, and to rebuild Africa's capacity to feed itself. He maintained that inland fisheries, which presently produced only 1.4 million tons per year could yield as much as 4 million tons if properly developed and managed, and thus could contribute much more to the region's food supply, particularly in rural areas, and to general economic well-being, than they do at present.
8. In calling attention to the substantive items on the agenda, Mr Dada stressed the need for and importance of regional collaboration, particularly in the harmonization of policies pertaining to the management and development of common fisheries resources of international inland water bodies. In this regard, he emphasized the need for traditional fishermen to participate in the formulation and implementation of fisheries management schemes, as appropriate. Finally, Mr Dada referred to the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development and its positive implications for CIFA and African inland fisheries.
9. The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia, Mr D. Dragic, in his address to the participants, referred to the role of UNDP in the development of fisheries in Africa, particularly that of aquaculture in recent years. He highlighted the success of the aquaculture programme in Zambia and emphasized the necessity for popularizing aquaculture both at the commercial and small-scale levels. Mr Dragic expressed the readiness of UNDP to assist in the fisheries development programmes in Africa.
10. The Committee unanimously elected Mr E. Muyanga of Zambia as Chairman for the Sixth Session, and Benin, Kenya and Zaire as Vice-Chairmen. According to the new CIFA Rules of Procedure, they will be in office until the beginning of the Seventh Session
11. The provisional agenda was adopted, as attached in Appendix A. The documents placed before the Committee are listed in Appendix B.
12. The Symposium was held under the Chairmanship of Mr N. Odero (Kenya). It was organized over a period of two and a half days into two Panels. Panel I, under the leadership of Mr W. Odoi-Akersie (Ghana), discussed the principles of planning, aquaculture planning and the implementation of fisheries plans. Panel II, under the leadership of Mr V.O. Sagua (Nigeria), concentrated on the management of fisheries in lakes, reservoirs, lagoons and rivers. The discussion was based on ten basic papers and twenty-five experience papers and national reports. The proceedings of the Symposium will be the subject of a separate publication. The main conclusions and recommendations are given below.
13. The planning constraints and priorities in African fisheries were considered in detail. The absence of reliable statistics, inadequate research, lack of trained staff, finance, project integration and the common failure of fisheries plans were mentioned. Possible solutions were suggested in each case. Top priority was given to improvement of fishery statistics without which rational planning is impossible. Manpower planning of technical personnel and research workers must be incorporated into national plans and the absorption of trained experts into the system should be properly phased. Use of existing regional institutions, such as those existing in Kenya, were recommended in order to utilize these fully, and economize on foreign exchange. Unforeseen external factors such as drought and pollution, must be taken into account as soon as visible. The use of national seminars to promote people's participation and increase the awareness of the decision makers was recommended.
14. Aquaculture planning was also discussed. The major problems encountered were failures of projects due to bad programming of follow-up activities. The low government priority usually given to projects underlined the need to involve all parties in the planning stage. The use of pilot-scale projects which have successfully shown the positive impact of aquaculture in some countries was recommended. While lack of training and research were given as major constraints, it was pointed out that the existing African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) was underutilized. Aquaculture project planning should match with fisheries manpower development plans. For the purpose of sustained smooth running of aquaculture projects, it was advised that where there was multiple use of water resources, project planning should be done in collaboration with other users in order to avoid conflicts which might retard development. Environment data analysis for aquaculture development and fisheries management was being computerized at FAO for possible experimental use in 1986.
15. It was made clear that the monitoring of the implementation of fishery development programmes was the responsibility of governments. Successful implementation must be based on prerequisites such as consideration of social factors, flexible credit systems, people's participation in monitoring and appraisal and relevant training programmes. Implementation of fisheries development plans particularly aimed at export markets must include the planning of quality control. Research activities incorporated in plans should be placed in order of priority in case of unforeseen shortage of funds.
16. Discussion of fisheries management of African lakes brought out common problems shared by riparian countries: lack of proper management, lack of research funds, and above all, lack of coordinated activities. Some lakes, such as Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria and Lake Chad, have coordinating mechanisms through CIFA sub-committees or independent commissions (Lake Chad). Lakes shared by two countries such as Lakes Albert, George, Kivu, Kariba, Nasser and Nubia, unfortunately, do not have mechanisms to coordinate the exploitation of shared resources. It was recommended for the latter group that collaboration in fisheries research, development and management be developed through bilateral agreements under the aegis of CIFA. Special assistance was requested by the countries of the Sahel sharing Lake Chad and international river systems. In this connection, a meeting of the Sahel Sub-Committee was recommended.
17. The management of reservoirs and lagoons and international rivers was hampered by lack of data, uncontrolled fishing effort and the introduction of new gear and drought. Traditional management systems could not cope with frequent explosive situations and conflicts were numerous.
18. A number of remedial measures were recommended by the Committee. These included the study of fishery management under environmental stresses; the promotion of integrated fishery development and the creation of new employment opportunities in related sectors; the development of fishery management plans for specific water bodies; the control of the importation and use of prohibited fishing gear and the promotion of community participation in the management of the resources. The assistance of FAO was requested for the implementation of these measures.
19. In conclusion, it was generally agreed that African experts should pool their experience together in the planning, development and management of their fisheries and call on outside expertise only when it was not available locally.
20. In the presentation of document CIFA/85/3, the Secretariat informed the Committee of all the actions that had been taken by FAO pertaining to the recommendations made and major decisions taken at the Fifth Session of CIFA.
21. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the efforts that FAO had made in implementing the recommendations and the excellent results so far obtained.
22. The transfer of the Secretariat of CIFA to the region by the appointment of the Senior Regional Fisheries Officer for Africa as Secretary was greatly appreciated by all delegations as they felt strongly that this would lead to a more practical approach and closer contacts with the member countries of CIFA.
(a) Reservoir Fisheries
23. As a follow up to the recommendation of the CIFA Round-table on Increasing Benefits from African Reservoir Fisheries, Cairo, Egypt, 11–13 January 1983, a number of studies and reviews were undertaken by the Secretariat in the intersessional period. These studies and reviews had been aimed at more effective planning for reservoir fishery management and development and had considered a broad variety of subjects on a priority basis. The studies included pelagic fishes and fisheries (CIFA Tech.Pap., 14), information for pre-impoundment studies and reservoir fishery potential (CIFA Tech.Pap., 12), the enhancement of reservoir and downstream fisheries through dam design and operation (CIFA Tech.Pap., 11), and implications for fisheries of flooding cleared and uncleared areas (FAO Tech.Pap., 258). In addition, the Secretariat had produced an African reservoir fishery bibliography (CIFA Occas.Pap., 10), a synthesis of information on large African reservoirs (CIFA Tech.Pap., 10), and a review of the performance of FAO/UNDP project on large African reservoirs. Looking ahead, predictions on new reservoir surface area in the eighties and nineties to the year 2000, and the expectation for fisheries had also been undertaken (CIFA Occas.Pap., 11).
24. Comments on this activity by several delegations called attention to the importance of reservoir fisheries in both large and small reservoirs in many countries, including seasonal impoundments and emphasized the importance of follow-up activities to reservoir projects
25. During the intersessional period the Secretariat was requested to emphasize its work on small impoundments including inventory, multiple uses, and management techniques.
(b) Improvement of Fisheries Statistics
26. The Secretariat presented document CIFA/85/5 which highlighted the problems facing the collection of fisheries statistics on African inland waters, and proposed a programme of work which would improve the collection and processing of inland fisheries statistics.
27. In the ensuing discussion, the Committee emphasized the importance of accurate and reliable statistics in fisheries planning, development and management, but regretted that owing to lack of basic means, including manpower, financial and material resources, the statistics being collected in many CIFA countries had been grossly inaccurate and inadequate for rational planning of fisheries development and management programmes. Consequently, the Committee stressed the need for improved methods of collection and processing of data in the countries of inland Africa, and called on FAO to intensify and strengthen its training programme in fisheries statistics, including the use of remote sensing techniques, so as to improve national capabilities in this field.
28. The Committee expressed appreciation for the assistance which FAO and its Regional Office for Africa had provided in training of national personnel in fisheries statistics and recommended that follow-up actions should be undertaken by FAO to evaluate the effectiveness of the training so far provided, in particular the Workshop/Training Course on Fisheries Statistics for Inland Fisheries (Lake Tanganyika) organized in Bujumbura, Burundi in May/June 1984. In this connection, it was stressed that the countries concerned should ensure that the training provided was utilized properly, and that the trained people had an effective system in which they could work and sufficient means placed at their disposal to carry out their task efficiently.
29. The Committee further emphasized that fisheries statistical data collection systems for countries with common resources should be standardized so that the data collected would be comparable. In order to achieve this, regional collaboration and coordination were necessary, it was stressed. The need for countries to accord higher priority to matters pertaining to fisheries statistics was also underscored.
(c) Pollution
30. The document CIFA/85/Inf.8 summarized activities concerning water pollution. A review of the state of pollution of West and Central African inland waters was presented to the Committee. The review, undertaken on behalf of CIFA member countries, described pollution problems in Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon and would be published as CIFA Occasional Paper No. 12. The Committee was informed that a Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries had been established by FAO and would have its first meeting in 1986 to prepare a document on “Scientific bases for water pollution control in Africa”. The members of the Working Party would be appointed by the Director-General of FAO.
31. Delegates expressed their satisfaction with the report presented, and noted that a similar review on the state of pollution of East African inland waters had been published as CIFA Occasional Paper No. 9 in 1981.
32. In the discussion that followed, the Committee suggested that the Working Party should consider the possibility of evaluating the need for a future lake-wide pollution monitoring programme for Lake Tanganyika, and eventually to prepare guidelines to study this important ecosystem which was at risk, within the activities of the Lake Tanganyika Sub-Committee.
33. The delegates stressed the problem of the evaluation of the impact of pesticides in African inland waters, and the need to undertake research to study the toxicity of these substances on fish and to measure the levels of residues in fish used for human consumption.
34. Other pollution-related activities for Africa included a joint FAO/UNEP project for preparing an action plan for the protection of the marine and coastal waters of West and East Africa. A project on monitoring contamination levels of heavy metals and pesticides in fish in the West and Central African regions was initiated in 1983. Participating laboratories had received instruments and training and an intercalibration exercise had been completed recently. Similar project activities in the East African region were in the preparatory phase, and it was suggested that this should include, for those concerned with inland fisheries, short-term training courses at suitable laboratories.
35. Many delegates expressed their concern about the growing level of pollution and its effects on the aquatic environment and stressed the importance of preventing pollution before it became incontrollable. Finally, aware of the initiative already taken on behalf of CIFA, the Committee underlined the need to continue and expand such activities.
(a) CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Victoria
36. The Secretariat introduced documents CIFA/85/7 and CIFA/85/8 containing the reports of the Second and Third Sessions of the Sub-Committee, which were held in October 1983 and 1984 respectively. The Committee was informed that the Third Session of the Sub-Committee was preceded by a Symposium on the main management and development issues, to which were submitted a number of scientific contributions now published, concerning the fisheries of the Lake. On the basis of the findings of the Symposium, the need for a regional programme of applied fisheries research for the management and development of the fisheries was reiterated.
37. The resolutions adopted by the Third Session of the Sub-Committee in support of the regional programme requested in particular that a regional project be drafted and presented to EEC for financing. The need for a ministerial meeting of the three countries was, according to the EEC representative, necessary before such a project was actually formulated. The organization of this meeting had not yet been possible. Indications from the EEC representative suggested, however, that an alternative procedure could be by Ministerial confirmation at the country level to the Head of the EEC Mission.
38. The Committee endorsed both reports of the Sub-Committee and urged FAO to impress upon EEC the urgent need to initiate this regional programme without further delay.
39. While waiting for the regional project to be implemented, the Committee endorsed a recommendation from one of the riparian States that a workshop on the collection and standardization of statistics be held with the assistance of FAO.
(b) CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika
40. The Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika held its Second Session in October 1983 in Rome, Italy, and its Third Session in Lusaka, Zambia, on 3 and 4 October 1985. The Second Session prepared a project idea for the development and management of the fisheries of Lake Tanganyika which was submitted to the EEC by the countries concerned. At the Third Session, the EEC representative was requested to clarify the position of EEC on this project and to inform the countries concerned accordingly. In addition, the Third Session of the Sub-Committee approved a detailed regional project proposal which was being considered by Finland for financing.
41. In order to avoid overlapping between the proposal being considered by Finland and the earlier project idea submitted to EEC, the Sub-Committee clarified its request to EEC, emphasizing development aspects.
42. The representative of EEC confirmed that three of the four riparian countries had made a request for a regional project. Follow-up action would be taken on these requests. He expressed the hope that the fourth request would be forthcoming soon. He confirmed EEC's interest in this project and suggested that the four riparian States should elect a country among themselves to play the leading role in its implementation. This would facilitate procedural aspects greatly.
43. The Committee supported the actions taken by the Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika concerning the project proposal being considered by Finland and the proposed EEC project and called upon FAO to use its good offices to ensure the financing and implementation of both projects. The two reports of the Sub-Committee (Documents CIFA/85/9 and 10) were endorsed by the Committee.
(c) CIFA Working Party on Stock Assessment
44. The Third Session of the CIFA Working Party on Stock Assessment was held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 30 September to 2 October 1985, with the theme “Predator-prey relationships, population dynamics and fisheries productivities of large African lakes”. There were fourteen participants plus observers, and twelve papers were presented. The objectives of the Workshop were to examine the utility of prey-predator relationships to provide information for fishery management and fishery development in the context of large African lakes and reservoirs, and to identify needs for future applied research and predator-prey relationships, as well as for related research activities.
45. The conclusions of the Working Party generally were that the predator-prey approach was a most useful one for understanding long-term fluctuations and trends in abundance as demonstrated for several large African lakes and reservoirs by the papers presented, but that a holistic approach to the study of population dynamics and productivities also was necessary. The Working Party recommended that the Committee should consider adopting guidelines for the introduction of any new species of fish into the inland waters of Africa.
46. The Committee noted the report of the Working Party but deferred consideration of the recommendation on introduction of exotic species into African waters to Agenda Item 9.
(d) CIFA Sub-Committee for the Protection and Development of the Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone
47. This item was considered on the basis of document CIFA/85/6. The Committee was informed that this body had not met since the Third Session of CIFA in November 1977 because its activities had been taken over by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) with the appointment of a CILSS fishery specialist. This appointment had now come to an end, and in view of the worsening drought situation the Committee was urged by the countries concerned to revitalize the fishery activities of the Sub-Committee. To this effect the Committee recommended that:
an assessment of the effects of the drought on the inland fisheries of the countries of the Sahelian zone be undertaken and
that the Sub-Committee for the Sahel be convened as soon as possible.
48. Suggestions were made as to the subject matter to be considered by the Sub-Committee; these included an inventory of ongoing projects and an evaluation of training needs. A number of neighbouring countries not members of CILSS asked to be associated with the activities of the Sub-Committee. It was recommended that cooperation with other interested organizations should be maintained. The Sub-Committee was further requested to devote special attention to Lake Chad.
49. The Secretariat introduced document CIFA/85/12 which summarized the current status of aquaculture development in African countries and reviewed the achievements of the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
50. Comments by delegates and discussions which followed were focused mainly on ARAC, its long-term continuation and its training programme. Complementary information was provided to the Committee concerning the conditions of admission, evaluation of the programme and improvement of the teaching in the French Section of the course.
51. The following recommendations were made by the Committee:
Future of ARAC: international assistance should be continued until longer term support could be assured from the member countries themselves;
Training fellowships for ARAC: donors such as the African Development Bank (ADB), Commonwealth Secretariat, and UNDP should increase their financial support;
Relationship between ARAC and all future sub-regional training/research centres: should be studied by FAO; this is of particular interest for the West African Economic Commission (CEAO) centre planned for Ivory Coast;
ARAC research results should be published and made available to member countries and
ARAC should expedite the provision of research facilities.
52. The Committee recommended that increased financial support should be provided by donors for aquaculture development, applied research and training. The representative of ADB assured the Committee of the continued support of his organization for such purposes.
53. The Committee also recommended that CIFA member countries ensure that higher priority be given to the following activities:
the formulation of national aquaculture development plans;
the training of aquaculture personnel, either at ARAC or in national centres;
the development of small-scale aquaculture through appropriate support services including seed production centres, extension and research;
the development of large-scale aquaculture through the establishment of well-conceived pilot projects and detailed economic feasibility studies.
54. Concern about introductions had been expressed during the recent meetings of the CIFA Working Party on Stock Assessment and the CIFA Sub-Committee on Lake Tanganyika. In anticipation of this concern, the Secretariat prepared a paper for consideration by the Committee entitled “Introduction of species and conservation of genetic resources” (CIFA/85/13). This paper set out the purposes of species transfers and introductions which, generally, were for recreational fishing, aquaculture, improving the productivity of natural waters, control of undesirable organisms, and for the ornamental fish trade. A summary of reported introductions of fish within and into Africa had been compiled. In addition, and most importantly, the dangers of transfers and introductions were pointed out. Those dangers included introductions of deseases, genetic degradation of the host stock, disruptions of the host community and degradation of the environment. With regard to genetic degradation, it was noted that in Africa the widespread mixing of genetic strains of cichlids, especially tilapias, for lake introductions and for aquaculture had already resulted in a considerable mixing of gene pools to the extent that the possibilities of isolating suitable strains for special purposes, such as for high growth rates and salinity tolerance have been reduced. Further, because of the confusion introduced into the genetic make-up of these species, it would now be more cost-effective to use the local wild stocks as a source of brood stock for aquaculture rather than to import a so-called “pure line” from elsewhere.
55. The Committee considered the need to provide guidelines for the introduction of new cadidate species of fish into or within Africa similar to those developed for the North Atlantic and Europe and the form they should take. The Committee recognized the need for a code of practice for introductions into and within Africa. It was suggested that the mechanism to decide on the form of the code would be through a CIFA correspondence working group and that those countries which had voiced support for the code - Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and Zaire - would be requested to nominate a national expert to serve on the CIFA correspondence working group to develop the code. The Committee stressed that in developing the code, special attention should be given to dealing with introductions and transfers in international water bodies in Africa. The draft code should be ready for consideration by the Seventh Session of CIFA.
56. The report on the Cooperative Research Programme of Fish Technology in Africa (documents CIFA/85/14 and CIFA/85/Inf.4) was presented to the Committee.
57. The Committee noted that the most recent FAO Expert Consultation on Fish Technology in Africa, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 21 to 25 January 1985, showed that notable progress in fish technology research in Africa had been achieved. The Consultation was recognized as the most important meeting of fish technologists in Africa, and also as the forum for discussion and guidance for further research activities and development in this field.
58. The Committee was informed that at present the Programme involved 18 institutions from different African countries and more than 70 scientists were included in the correspondence list. Research programmes to be carried out by the national institutes as recommended by the Consultation in Lusaka were in the field of improved handling and distribution, traditional processing methods, prevention of post-harvest losses, marketing of fish and fishery products, quality control and fish inspection and training activities, all being practically-oriented programmes.
59. The attention of the Committee was drawn to the fact that although progress had been made by the Programme and its usefulness had been proven and recognized, yet its future was being seriously jeopardized by lack of operational funds on the part of many national research institutes. It was stressed that FAO had made considerable efforts to provide funds from its Regular Programme and from other limited resources, while at the same time soliciting for possible donors. Until now, however, no positive results had been obtained.
60. The Committee discussed the above-mentioned report and expressed its satisfaction with the progress made. The orientation of the Programme, which was geared toward solving practical problems, using regional expertise and which contained a strong TCDC element, was welcomed and was highly appreciated.
61. The Committee noted that although the Programme did not encourage the use of insecticides on cured fish to prevent insect infestation there might be some cases where insecticides need to be used as the last resort. In such cases, however, only safe, internationally-recognized insecticides should be used. In view of this, the effort made by the Programme to obtain international clearance for effective insecticides to be used within certain limits on cured fish was recognized and endorsed by the Committee.
62. The Committee endorsed the report of the FAO Expert Consultation on Fish Technology in Africa held in Lusaka, Zambia (21–25 January 1985) and recommended that FAO and Member Governments be requested to give full and continued support to the Cooperative Programme on Fish Technology in Africa.
63. The Committee further requested FAO to continue its search for funding for the Regional Cooperative Research Programme in Africa and ensure wider dissemination of the results of the Programme within the region.
64. In introducing this agenda item, the Secretariat reviewed the major outcome of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development which was held in Rome from 27 June to 6 July 1984 and attended by delegations from 147 countries and representatives of over 60 international organizations.
65. The Conference endorsed a Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development and approved an integrated package of five Programmes of Action to assist developing countries to increase fish production and improve their individual and collective self-reliance in Fisheries. In addition, the Conference adopted a series of Resolutions regarding follow-up actions to implement the Strategy and Action Programmes as well as various aspects of fisheries management and development.
66. The Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development comprises guidelines and principles for consideration by governments and organizations when planning and implementing fisheries management and development. It covers eight major elements: the contribution of fisheries to national economic, social and nutritional goals; improved self-reliance in fisheries; the rational management and optimum use of fish resources; the special role and needs of small-scale fisheries; international trade in fish and fishery products; investment in fisheries; economic and technical cooperation; and international collaboration in fisheries.
67. Regarding periodic reporting on progress made by national governments in implementing the Strategy adopted by the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development, the Secretariat informed the Committee that, in accordance with the recommendation of the Sixteenth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) held in Rome in April 1985, and endorsed by the Council of FAO, a standard format for national progress reports was being prepared and would be sent to countries in due course.
68. The Committee noted with appreciation that the five associated Programmes of Action approved by the Conference were all of relevance and interest to inland Africa and they cover the following separate but inter-linked areas: planning, management and development of fisheries; small-scale fisheries development; aquaculture development; international trade in fish and fishery products; and the role of fisheries in alleviating under-nutrition.
69. Under Action Programme I: Planning, Management and Development of Fisheries, the Committee was informed that two main areas of activity had been identified to enhance fisheries management and development in inland Africa. These concerned firstly advisory services designed to strengthen national capabilities in planning, management and development of fisheries in both marine and inland waters, being supported by Norway; secondly, strengthening of regional collaboration in fisheries management and development by supporting regional and sub-regional fisheries bodies and their programmes such as this Committee and the regional programmes proposed by its Sub-Committee on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria being considered for funding by Finland and the EEC, respectively. The Committee appreciated the proposed appointment by FAO of a Fisheries Development Officer to be outposted to East Africa to provide technical support to the countries of the sub-region and play a coordinating role in the development and management of the fisheries of the Rift Valley lakes.
70. Regarding the second Action Programme: Development of Small-scale Fisheries, the Committee was informed that a project for the integrated development of fisheries in East Africa had been prepared and that certain components of it were being considered for funding by the Netherlands. It was also noted that the FAO/Denmark integrated small-scale fisheries development project based in Cotonou, Benin, had an inland fisheries component for countries in West Africa.
71. Under Action Programme III: Aquaculture Development, the Committee noted that UNDP funding for the African Regional Aquaculture Centre, operating in Nigeria, would continue through 1986. Countries were advised to make full use of the facilities provided there.
72. On the fourth Action Programme: International Trade in Fish and Fishery Products, the Committee was advised of the newly established Regional Fish Trade Information and Cooperation Service (INFOPECHE), headquartered at Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for the countries in the African region being funded by Norway.
73. Under Action Programme V: Promotion of the Role of Fisheries in Alleviating Under-Nutrition, which is particularly supported by Norway, the Committee noted that regional cooperative programmes in fish technology research would be encouraged and training provided on the subject. The Committee was further informed that a regional workshop for francophone Africa would be held in Dakar in 1986 to be followed by a national workshop in Uganda.
74. The Committee unanimously endorsed the Report of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development, and warmly appreciated the efforts being made by FAO to implement the Strategy and the Programmes of Action. In particular, it strongly supported the project ideas specifically proposed for inland Africa, and called upon donor agencies and financial institutions to provide the necessary financial support to implement these programmes.
75. In introducing this agenda item (document CIFA/85/16), the Secretariat informed the Committee that it had become customary for a major symposium to be held in conjunction with each session of CIFA. Topics covered by past CIFA sessions included resources evaluation, aquaculture development, river and floodplain fisheries, fishery management and development in river basins and prospects of extension services in African inland fisheries with particular reference to the artisanal fisheries sector and professional training. In conjunction with this session, a symposium on the planning and implementation of fishery management and development programmes had been held.
76. In view of the recognized potential and future importance of the fisheries of small water bodies as highlighted in the document CIFA/85/16, the Committee unanimously endorsed the proposal that the theme of the symposium to be organized in conjunction with the Seventh Session should be the development and management of fisheries in small water bodies.
77. Taking into account the importance of marketing and trade, fishing technology and fisheries statistics in the development of inland fisheries, the Committee further recommended that these subjects should be considered for future sessions.
78. The establishment of a Sub-Committee for the man-made lakes of West Africa was proposed. The delegates were informed that the establishment of subsidiary bodies of CIFA were subject to detailed procedure and study. This question would therefore be studied during the intersessional period.
79. A suggestion was made that an all-Africa fisheries conference be organized in the not too distant future. In this connection, it was mentioned that such a meeting might be considered as a follow-up to the World Fisheries Conference. The subject of marine and inland fisheries development in Africa could, however, be proposed for consideration at a future session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa.
80. There was general agreement that the African Journal of Tropical Hydrobiology and Fisheries should be revitalized. The feasibility of an inland water fisheries journal would be studied by FAO during the intersessional period in consultation with the countries concerned.
81. The Committee was informed that according to Rule IV.2 of the Rules of Procedure of CIFA, sessions of CIFA are convened by the Director-General of FAO who decides on the date and place of the sessions, in consultation with the Chairman and the competent authorities of the host country, taking into account the views expressed by the Committee. The Committee proposed to hold the Seventh Session in 1987, but the exact date and place would be decided by the Director-General of FAO.
82. With this understanding, delegates from Benin, Senegal and Sudan indicated the interest of their respective countries in hosting the Seventh Session of CIFA, pending the final approval of their governments, which would be communicated to the Director-General of FAO.
83. The report was adopted on 11 October 1985.
