1. The Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) held its Seventh Session from 7 to 11 December 1987 at the Kwame Nkrumah Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana. The Session was attended by delegates from 21 member countries of the Committee, by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and observers from Norway, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), the Communauté économique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO), the Union douanière et économique de l'Afrique centrale (UDEAC) and the International Agency for Rural Industrialization (INARI). The list of participants is given in Appendix C.
2. The opening ceremony was chaired by Mrs Selina Taylor, Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Regional Secretary for Greater Accra Region, who welcomed the delegates to the city of Accra. She highlighted the important role which women could play in fisheries development particularly in fish processing and marketing, and recommended their increased participation in future sessions.
3. In his remark, Mr E. Muyanga, outgoing Chairman of CIFA, thanked the Government and people of Ghana on behalf of the Committee for the hospitality which had been bestowed on the delegates since their arrival in Accra. He noted that the gap between demand and supply of fish in Africa was widening mainly because of high population growth, and called for improved development and management of fishery resources so as to increase fish production.
4. The Session was then opened officially by the Honourable Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Secretary for Agriculture, Commodore (Rtd.) Steve G. Obimpeh, who welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana. He said that the Session was being held at a very critical period in the history of the fishing industry in Ghana when fish was very scarce and therefore expensive. In this regard, he emphasized the need for alternative source of fish protein through fish farming and the proper management of large reservoirs, rivers and lakes. In order to increase the level of production of inland waters in Ghana including the Volta Lake, the Government would soon establish a Volta Lake Fisheries Development Committee to advise the Department of Fisheries on issues related to the management and development of the fisheries resources of the lake.
5. Commodore Obimpeh further told the Committee that in response to the principles and guidelines contained in the 1984 World Fisheries Conference Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development, his Government had adopted its Fisheries Action Plan for the second phase of its national economic recovery programme for the period 1986–88 and was currently making necessary institutional changes in order to put into effect some of the guidelines contained in the Strategy.
6. On aquaculture, the Honourable Secretary commended the important role which the African Regional Aquaculture Centre in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, had been playing in fostering the development of aquaculture in the region and strongly recommended its continuation. He urged member countries themselves to make their contributions to support ARAC. Finally, Commodore Obimpeh acknowledged with gratitude the role of FAO, UNDP and other international and bilateral donor agencies in the development of African fisheries.
7. Mr T. Taka, FAO Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa a.i., addressed the Session on behalf of the Director-General and of the Assistant Director-General a.i. (Fisheries). He thanked the Government of Ghana for hosting this Session and for the excellent facilities provided.
8. Mr Taka noted that the Session was being held against the background of unsatisfactory food situation and unrealized potential of fish as a major source of food in Africa. He intimated that presently fish contributed about half of the animal protein consumption in Africa and stressed the importance of increasing production from inland fisheries resources.
9. Referring to the lack of technical support units to CIFA and its subsidiary bodies which had been a major constraint upon more effective collaboration, the Regional Representative informed the Session that UNDP had recently approved two Regional Projects on Planning and Policy Formulation for the fisheries sector in East and West Africa which would assist in filling that gap.
10. In calling attention to the substantive items on the agenda, Mr Taka stressed the importance of small water bodies in Africa and noted that the topic for the symposium “Development and Management of Fisheries in Small Water Bodies” was very appropriate. He exhorted the Session to identify measures that should be taken at national and regional levels to ensure rational and judicious development and management of small water bodies in Africa. Despite the tremendous scope for aquaculture development in Africa, Mr Taka observed that the present annual production was only about 45 000 t. He mentioned that there were several major obstacles to overcome in promoting modern intensive aquaculture in the continent and that the UNDP-funded African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) had solved some of these problems. Furthermore, UNDP would, in future, fund a more comprehensive aquaculture programme with a network of institutions for training and research throughout Africa.
11. Finally, Mr Taka referred to the 1984 World Fisheries Conference and remarked that the principles contained in its Strategy had provided valuable guidance to both governments and international organizations as they sought to improve the contribution of fisheries to the attainment of national economic, social and nutritional goals. Likewise, the Programmes of Action approved by that Conference constituted a sound framework for FAO and other agencies in assisting developing countries to achieve self-reliance in fisheries management and development.
12. The Committee unanimously elected Mr Frank Denyoh, Deputy Director of Fisheries and leader of the Ghanaian delegation, as Chairman for the Seventh Session, and Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan and Zimbabwe as Vice-Chairmen. According to CIFA Rules of Procedure, they will remain in office until the beginning of the Eighth Session.
13. The provisional annotated agenda was adopted, as attached in Appendix A. The documents placed before the Committee are listed in Appendix B.
14. The Symposium was held on 7 and 8 December 1987 under the Chairmanship of Mr Moriba Kone (Mali); Mr T. Mokhohlane (Lesotho) served as the Rapporteur.
15. The objectives of the Symposium were:
to encourage CIFA countries to recognize the potential importance of fisheries in small water bodies (SWBs) and small river systems (SRSs) as a source of additional fish supplies, primarily for the rural communities.
Through discussion and exchange of experience, to identify problems and constraints associated with the development and management of such fisheries and to consider various alternatives for the planning and implementation of appropriate management and development programmes.
16. The Symposium was organized along the lines of the four main issues identified in the prospectus (CIFA/87/Inf.3) namely:
the potential importance of small water bodies and small river systems;
means of information acquisition for management and development;
development assistance, and
management approaches.
The Symposium views on these issues were as follows:
Potential Importance
17. In general, small water bodies and small river systems are important for fish production. However, this importance varies from country to country relative to the surface areas and numbers of large water bodies available. Thus, African nations give different priorities to the management and development of small water systems. There is, however, a general tendency to consider small water bodies/small river systems fishery production of immediate concern. Continent-wide, such production could amount to at least one million tons.
Information Acquisition
18. A number of countries have already undertaken inventories of their small water bodies. Approaches have included satellite remote sensing, aerial surveys and investigations on the ground. It was recognized that an integrated approach (e.g., satellite remote sensing with ground verification and at the same time the collection of supplementary information) is useful, especially in countries with many small water bodies scattered over large areas. The objective of such surveys should be to delimit locations, estimate surface areas (and change in surface areas in countries with long dry seasons), assess biological productivities and determine ownership and management.
19. Some countries may require technical assistance with small water body surveys, particularly with remote sensing. This might be forthcoming from FAO or other international sources or through technical cooperation between developing countries (TCDC).
Development Assistance
20. Stocking is a widely used method to maintain or increase the fisheries productivities of small water bodies, but there is room for improvement in stocking practices including the selection of species, stocking frequency and amount. Control of reproduction is another problem.
21. Development assistance through integration with other programmes (e.g., rural agriculture) has good possibilities, but development planning to ease conflicts and to facilitate multiple uses has to be improved. Problem areas include pesticides in small water bodies, loss of water to satisfy irrigation needs and inability to increase fish production through fertilization because some water bodies also are potable water supplies. The addition of fisheries as a use in a water body already functioning for other purposes often times is easier than total integration from the outset. However, apart from increasing food supplies, fish can enhance other uses of small water bodies by controlling aquatic vegetation and water borne and associated disease vectors. These advantages require promotion to facilitate the inclusion of fisheries in small water bodies development.
22. As with other development activities, lack of finances and shortages of trained personnel constrain fisheries in small water bodies.
23. The Committee was grateful to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the resolution adopted at its 10th Congress through which it approved the appointment of a consultant to study meteorological, climatological and hydrological aspects of inland, coastal and marine fisheries and submit a report by 1990.
Management
24. Management approaches in small water bodies were compared. With few exceptions, community institutions such as schools, hospitals and missions were deemed successful in terms of fish production realized. Schools in particular provide an impetus for aquaculture development because students implement fish farming along with other activities on home farms after graduation.
25. Fish farming as a single family activity has had more success than community farming partly because it is easier to make management decisions when numbers of decision-makers are few.
26. Community management of small water bodies has run into difficulties where local traditions and cultural values have not been taken fully into account. Research on socio-economic aspects of community small water bodies fisheries is a priority.
27. Overexploitation was seen as a general problem. Regulation through limitation of entry and control of gear characteristics has been tried with mixed results. Traditional (or local) management works well on many small water body fisheries. Emphasis needs to be placed on dissemination of information on traditional fisheries management techniques.
RESOLUTION
28. The following resolution was adopted as follow-up to the Symposium:
RESOLUTION CIFA/VII/1
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN SMALL WATER BODIES IN AFRICA
The FAO Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa,
Recognizing the importance of the vast numbers of small water bodies existing in countries of Africa and their potential for increasing fish production;
Recognizing further the vital need for water conservation and its multiple use for people, agricultural irrigation, livestock and fisheries;
Aware that their stocking with appropriate fish species is essential for maintaining the sanitary and enhanced state of such water bodies for control of aquatic weeds and insects or snail vectors of water-borne/associated diseases.
(a) Calls upon Governments to
Accord greater priority to the study, documentation, multiple management and more effective use of small water bodies,
Make every effort to stock them with suitable fish as a standard policy for both public and private waters,
Establish guidelines to cater for effective management measures for enhanced fish production and public health controls,
Establish appropriate authorities with all technical competence to study the water management and fishing practices and production systems most suitable for given localities,
Prepare detailed studies of benefits derived from particular water bodies as regards value of fish obtained as well as other quantifiable water revenues.
(b) Requests FAO to:
Provide member countries of CIFA with summaries of beneficial experiences in the use of small water bodies in Asia, Latin America and Africa,
Assist member countries in soliciting funds from UNDP and other donor agencies for implementation and execution of model development programmes including the establishment of hatchery facilities for production of fish seeds, and the training of personnel in the development and management of small water bodies,
(c) Urges the World Health Organization (WHO) to:
Assist member countries by supporting research and development programmes dealing with biological control by fish of aquatic weeds, insects and snails to reduce the spread of water-borne/associated diseases in small water bodies.
29. The main document for this agenda item, CIFA/87/2, summarized all the action that had been taken by FAO pertaining to the recommendations made and major decisions taken at the Sixth Session of CIFA.
30. The Committee noted with satisfaction the efforts which FAO had made in implementing the recommendations and the results so far obtained. Some specific comments were made on certain projects and issues; these are reported under the appropriate agenda items.
31. Particular concern was expressed by the Committee regarding the future of the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) which would appear to have been terminated on 31 August 1987. In this regard, UNDP submitted a written statement which reiterated its continued support for aquaculture development in Africa. The UNDP representative further reassured the Committee that ARAC had never been terminated and called upon member countries to suggest the future role they would like the Centre to play within the context of the new programme for Integrated Approach to Aquaculture Development in Africa. The Committee noted with appreciation the continued commitment of UNDP to the promotion of aquaculture for African food and employment needs.
32. The Secretariat presented document CIFA/87/3 regarding the improvement of fishery statistics. The document detailed the considerable problems faced by technical staff in collecting, analysing and presenting fisheries data, and concluded that a principal requirement was that government need to be convinced of the economic and social value of reliable data, and to demonstrate this conviction by making resources available for their collection. The document also noted that training of enumerators and supervisors could be useful only if a functioning system for the collection of data existed or was in the course of implementation.
33. The Committee noted that many countries either had no data collection system, or only a partial collection system, but recognized the difficulty of setting up an adequate system when so many small and isolated landing points were found on inland waters, often in inaccessible areas. Furthermore, the cost of data collection could be high; one delegation said that over forty percent of his Department of Fisheries recurrent expenditure related to costs incurred with statistics collection. Data collection systems needed to be updated in many fisheries to take account of new environmental and socio-economic conditions, but many governments were not in a position to carry this through, often as a result of their present difficult economic situation.
34. The Committee requested that FAO continue its training activities in fishery statistics for all levels of manpower, and also requested FAO to assist with improving frame and catch assessment surveys, which were not being undertaken properly on a number of important inland waters. The improved systems should take into account the need to reduce the cost of the data collection, where possible; governments were requested to commit finance and manpower for such efforts over the long term.
35. Document CIFA/87/4 which described the status of development of aquaculture in Africa was introduced by the Secretariat. The presentation highlighted the increased interest being shown in most of the member countries toward both large-scale and small-scale operations. The necessity for collecting accurate statistics of aquaculture production was specially pointed out, while fish farming extension services continued to develop gradually. The shortage of qualified staff at all levels was considered to be one of the major obstacles toward planned aquaculture.
36. The Committee welcomed the steps taken by FAO to initiate with UNDP funding the first phase of major project entitled “Integrated Approach to Aquaculture Development in Africa” in order to prepare for a concentrated support of research, training and information dissemination during the next ten years.
37. In the discussions which followed, the majority of the delegations spoke in favour of the establishment of a separate CIFA sub-committee on aquaculture; the Committee also emphasized the need for continuation and expansion of the activities of the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC). Other comments focused on regular publication of a list of persons engaged in inland water fisheries and aquaculture, the necessity for reviewing the results of aquaculture research in member countries, and on the profitability of rural fish farming. The difficulty expressed by some persons in obtaining FAO technical publications was also noted. While the need for intensive fry production facilities at the sub-regional level was recognized, the difficulties involved with their transportation and distribution were highlighted.
38. A consultative group to draft proposals for the future role or ARAC within the framework of the new FAO/UNDP project, was elected as follows:
Sudan and Egypt (North Africa),
Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria (West Africa),
Tanzania and Kenya (East Africa),
Central African Republic and Congo (Central Africa),
Zambia and Lesotho (Southern Africa).
The result of their deliberations is presented as RESOLUTION CIFA/VII/2
39. The recommendations of the above Working Party were reviewed and endorsed by the Committee. These were: (i) the preparations of reviews such as a strategy paper on pollution from organic loads (this has already been done); national reports on aquatic pollution; and ecotoxicological profiles, (ii) the formulation of research prospects on biological monitoring, comparative toxicology and chemical monitoring; Lake Tanganyika was selected as the possible site of a sub-regional project and the outline of the projet has been formulated; (iii) the organization of a seminar on scientific basis for aquatic pollution management.
40. The Committee noted that the Sub-Committee had been revitalized and at its Third Session made a number of relevant and important recommendations. These included the promotion of harmonization of policies and plans in Sahelian countries sharing a common watershed and the establishment of a mechanism for exchanging scientific and technical information among its members.
41. Regrading the possible enlargement of the membership of the Sub-Committee so as to include other countries having a common watershed with those in the Sahel, the Committee was informed that the matter would be discussed under agenda item 8 - Future Role of CIFA Subsidiary Bodies (see paragraph 62 and 63). The report of the Third Session of the Sub-Committee was endorsed.
42. The Sub-Committee had reviewed the state of Lake Victoria Fisheries and the progress made in the formulation of the proposed EEC regional project for the coordination of fisheries research, management and development.
43. During the discussion, the delegate from Rwanda thanked the Sub-Committee for inviting his country to become associated with it and gave the assurance that he would discuss such possibility with his Government.
44. From the statements made by the delegates from the three countries involved, it transpired that the EEC had submitted a formal project proposal which was being reviewed by each of the countries prior to signature. The Committee endorsed the report of the Sub-Committee.
45. The Secretariat informed the Committee that the Fourth Session of the Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika planned for 1–2 December 1987 in Bujumbura, Burundi, had had to be cancelled because of internal problems in that country.
46. It was, however, reported that recently several donors had expressed interest in supporting fisheries activites of Lake Tanganyika, thus necessitating even closer collaboration of the riparian countries in the development and management of the important fisheries of that lake.
47. The Committee noted that the Fourth Session might be rescheduled for early 1988.
48. The Committee was informed that very few member countries had responded to the FAO questionnaire regarding support for the preparation of a Code of Practice giving guidelines to reduce the risks of introducing exotic species into and within Africa. However, the Committee expressed support for continuing efforts to develop the Code.
49. Comments on the EIFAC model Code of Practice were received during the Session. The Committee requested that reminders be sent to member States that had not responded to the FAO questionnaire, and mandated FAO to finalize the draft CIFA Code of Practice on the basis of information received and circulate to member countries for comments.
50. The Committee considered this item on the basis of document CIFA/87/6 which contained a report on progress achieved since the adoption of the Strategy and Programmes of Action by the 1984 FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. The Secretariat, in addition, drew attention to supporting documents on a preparatory assistance project for planning and policy formulation for the fisheries of West Africa (CIFA/87/Inf.5), a project for inland fisheries planning, development and management in East (Central/Southern) Africa (CIFA/87/Inf.6) and a project for preparatory assistance for the integrated approach to aquaculture development in Africa (CIFA/87/Inf.16).
51. The Committee noted, with appreciation, the steps taken by the Director-General of FAO to prepare such a comprehensive report. It further noted that the Seventeenth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, held in May 1987, the Ninety-first Session of the FAO Council, held in June 1987, and the Twenty-fourth Session of the FAO Conference, held in November 1987, had welcomed the progress made so far with implementation of the Strategy and Programmes of Action, and requested that further assessments of the progress being achieved in implementing the Strategy be prepared at four yearly intervals. The report would continue to be prepared by FAO in collaboration with governments and international organizations concerned.
52. The Committee recognized the importance of the World Fisheries Conference in creating an increased awareness among decision makers of the potential of the fishery sector to national economies, and called for intensified assistance in improving national capabilities in fishery development planning. The Committee further observed that the principles and guidelines contained in the Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development had been found useful by African governments as they sought to improve the contribution of the fisheries sector to national economic, social and nutritional goals. In this regard, specific requests were made by some delegations for FAO assistance in the organization of national seminars to formulate national fishery policies and plans, while other delegations indicated the need for FAO's help and advice in preparing their future national reports on the implementation of the Strategy.
53. The Committee was informed that the funding support for the implementation of the five Programmes of Action approved by the World Fisheries Conference had in general been satisfactory and had now attained the indicative target of US$ 15 million p.a.
54. The Committee was advised that UNDP had approved two regional projects under Programme of Action No. I relating to the Planning, Management and Development of Fisheries. Other donors were also supporting sub-regional technical assitance projects.
55. Under Programme of Action No. II (Development of Small-scale Fisheries), the Committee expressed concern that there was no specific financial support for regional activities in the inland waters of Africa. It was, however, noted that national activities continued to receive bilateral assistance.
56. With regard to Programme of Action No. III (Aquaculture Development), the Committee noted that considerable donor support had been received. At this juncture, the Committee considered the recommendations of the contact group which it had set up while discussing agenda item 5(c) (see paragraph 38). It unanimously approved the Resolution concerning the continuation and expansion of the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC). The text of the Resolution is reproduced below:
RESOLUTION CIFA/VII/2
CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF THE AFRICAN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTRE (ARAC) THROUGH A NEW UNDP/FAO PROJECT ENTITLED “INTEGRATED APPROACH TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA”
The FAO Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa,
Considering that aquaculture has great potential to increase nutrition, income, employment and foreign currency earnings in developing countries,
Aware that the original objectives and role of the UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) which resulted in the establishment of ARAC are still valid and indeed more urgently needed than ever for the African Region,
Conscious that ARAC's greatest success during the seven years has been in its Regional Training Programme, despite the many difficulties encountered in the establishment of the Centre, which is still relevant to the Regional needs,
Recognizing that the research goals were not well achieved because of lack of infrastructures, especially with reference to the freshwater fish farming,
Noting that there are many aquaculture centres in CIFA countries with facilities and expertise in culture systems which are not in use at ARAC and those centres could be linked with the training and research of ARAC,
Conscious that aquaculture information based on a system for collection processing and retrieval of information is of paramount importance to assist planning and execution of aquaculture development and research programmes,
Expresses CIFA member countries full support for continued UNDP enlarge funding of ARAC, through the new UNDP/FAO project-Integrated Approach to Aquaculture Development in Africa,
Requests UNDP/FAO to establish a network in African aquaculture that links aquaculture centres in other CIFA member countries having culture systems not available at ARAC with ARAC's training and research, coordinated with a programme to be supported by UNDP and other donor agencies,
Invites UNDP/FAO to establish a Technical Advisory Committee with representation from UNDP, FAO and CIFA member countries which should meet at least once annually to review progress and to determine future programmes of the project,
Requests UNDP/FAO to create a post of Regional Aquaculture Development and Research Coordinator to follow-up the research and training programmes of ARAC and other linked centres,
Also invites UNDP/FAO to consult member countries to determine their support to ARAC.
57. The Committee noted that Programme of Action No. IV regarding international trade in fish and fishery products was proceeding satisfactorily. The Regional Fish Trade Information and Cooperation Service (INFOPECHE), based in Abidjan, had become fully operational.
58. The Committee was informed that insufficient support had been received for Programme of Action No. V, designed to promote the role of fisheries in alleviating under-nutrition, improve fish utilization and regional collaboration in fish technology. Nevertheless, training activities under this programme had received good financial support and a preparatory assistance project was being negotiated.
59. The Committee noted that the imbalances in funding support for the different Programmes of action were mainly due to preferences by donor agencies toward certain geographical areas and/or fields of activities. In conclusion, the Committee unanimously endorsed the report and appreciated the efforts being made by FAO to mobilize donor support for the implementation of the various Programmes of Action.
60. This agenda item was introduced by the Secretariat on the basis of document CIFA/87/7. The document reviewed the activities and functions of CIFA subsidiary bodies with a view to ascertaining their relevance and usefulness and identifying constraints which might affect their roles in meeting the aspirations of member States in fisheries management and development. In light of the review, the Committee was requested to recommend which of these subsidiary bodies should be retained or replaced.
61. In the ensuing discussion, the Committee affirmed the relevance and usefulness of all three existing CIFA Sub-Committees - viz, Sub-Committee for the Protection and Development of the Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone, Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika and Sub-Committee for the Development and Management of the Fisheries of Lake Victoria, and unanimously recommended their continuation. Some changes which had been suggested by the Sub-Committee themselves were, however, carefully examined by the Committee as follows:
62. Concerning membership, the Committee noted that at its Third Session, the Sub-Committee had considered the question of enlarging its own membership. It was recorded that when the Sub-Committee was established in 1975, the launching of a regional project dealing with inland fisheries in the Sahel was envisaged. Membership in the Sub-Committee was therefore at that time linked with participation in the regional project. The project however never materialized.
63. Bearing in mind the views expressed by the Sub-Committee at its Third Session, the Committee felt that it was now desirable to define more clearly the composition of the Sub-Committee. It agreed that membership of the Sub-Committee should be open to all countries whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the Sahelian zone.
64. The Committee was informed that in carrying out its activities, the Sub-Committee interacted and collaborated very closely with other regional bodies, such as the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and the FAO Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF).
65. No change was proposed.
66. The Committee endorsed the recommendation made at the Fourth Session of the Sub-Committee (Kisumu, Kenya, 6–10 April 1987), regarding the establishment of a more formalized mechanism, such as a Lake Victoria Fisheries Commission, to cater for the joint management of the lake fisheries by the three member countries.
67. Regarding the existing working parties, the Committee made the following recommendations:
that the Working Party on River and Floodplain Fisheries be revitalized and the scope of its responsibilities be expanded to include manmade lakes;
that the Working Party on Stock Assessment be strengthened so as to include in its terms of reference all matters pertaining to the introduction and transfer of exotic species as was recommended at its Third Session and endorsed by the Sixth Session of CIFA.
Working Party on Aquaculture
Many delegations expressed strong support for the establishment of a new Sub-Committee for Aquaculture. However, in view of the financial constraints presently facing both FAO and several Member States, it was suggested that the status quo be maintained for the moment, and that the new UNDP/FAO project - Integrated Approach to Aquaculture Development in Africa, should provide necessary resources to support the Working Party as well as establish a Technical Advisory Committee for the new project.
68. In concluding its deliberation on this item of the Agenda, the Committee reaffirmed the important role of CIFA and its subsidiary bodies in promoting collaboration in fisheries development and management of inland waters of Africa. It expressed appreciation to FAO and donor agencies for facilitating the participation of member countries at the meetings of the bodies through the organization of symposia and seminars in conjunction with the session.
69. In introducing this agenda item (document CIFA/87/8), 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 had included resource evaluation, aquaculture development, river and floodplain fisheries, fishery management and development in river basins, prospects of extension services in African inland fisheries with particular reference to the artisanal fisheries sector and professional training, and the planning and implementation of fishery management and development programmes. In conjunction with this present session, a symposium on the development and management of fisheries in small water bodies had been held.
70. In view of the high post-harvest losses of fish in inland Africa and the current initiatives being taken to help ensure a steady animal protein supply to rural populations, the Committee unanimously endorsed the proposal that the theme of the symposium to be organized in conjunction with the Eighth Session should be post-harvest fish technology.
71. Taking into account the importance of fishery statistics, fish marketing and trade, pollution and the particular problems of the fisheries of man-made lakes, the Committee further recommended that these topics might be considered at future sessions.
72. The observer from the Union douanière et économique de l'Afrique centrale (UDEAC) expressed the gratitude of his organization to the Committee for the opportunity to participate in the Session. UDEAC which is an inter-governmental organization with its headquarters in Bangui, Central African Republic, is composed of six member countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad. The Organization has a department of livestock and fisheries which has been involved in the development of fisheries in member countries since 1985.
73. The Committee was informed that the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC) had at the request of CIFA fielded a consultant to various countries in Africa during the intersessional period to study the feasibility of publishing, on a sustained basis, an African Journal of Fisheries.
74. Although the report of the consultant had not been made available, IDRC informed FAO that even though there was a strong need for improved scientific communications in Africa, the institutional situation would have to be strengthened first so as to be able to handle such a journal on a sustained basis.
75. In expressing its appreciation for the study undertaken by IDRC, the Committee reaffirmed its view that an African Journal of Fisheries would be of considerable value and requested IDRC to reconsider this matter during the intersessional period in the light of any changes in the situation.
76. The delegate from Uganda informed the Committee that Uganda had set aside allocations to publish some outstanding issues of the African Journal of Hydrobiology and Fisheries during the forthcoming year. The Committee was further informed that EEC had earmarked funds to that effect within the forthcoming EEC regional project for Lake Victoria.
77. The Committee was informed that according to Rule IV.2 of the Rules of Procedure of CIFA, sessions of CIFA were convened by the Director-General of FAO who decided 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 suggested that the Eighth Session be held in 1989 but noted the exact date and place would be decided by the Director-General of FAO.
78. The delegates from Ethiopia and Egypt indicated the interest of their respective countries in hosting the Eighth Session of CIFA, pending the final approval of their governments, which would be communicated to the Director-General of FAO.
79. The Report was adopted on 11 December 1987.
