The EAF-Nansen Programme is organizing a technical workshop for finalizing the plans of the EAF Nansen theme 2 project "Stock identification of pelagic fish along the west coast of Africa using a holistic approach". The meeting will take place at IMR premises in Bergen, Norway from 8 to 10 October 2018. The workshop will be conducted in English.

The objectives of the meeting includes, amongst others:

• Review existing knowledge and hypotheses for stock identity in the region, as well as data already collected that can contribute to the stock identity work
• Review of existing approaches and methodologies for assessing stock identity, and the information and data necessary for each of these
• Make an overview of the samples (genetic and others) available from the 2017 survey and where they are stored
• Identify gaps in available samples and suggest any additional sampling to be carried out in future surveys off West Africa
• Establish a work plan for the project

The training workshop will be held at Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC) in Henties Bay, Namibia, from 17 to 28 September 2018.

The meeting is organized as part of the Theme 1 of the EAF-Nansen Programme Science Plan “Early Life History, recruitment and mortality” and also linked to the capacity development component of the Programme.

The main purpose of the meeting is to analyse the ichtyoplankton samples collected during the 2017 pelagic survey by the RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen on the continental shelf and upper slope of the Southern African region (Angola, Namibia and South Africa).

Additionally this workshop aims to:

• augment the understanding of the early life stages of fish species.
• standardize the identification of fish eggs and fish larvae;
• determine the abundance, distribution and composition of fish eggs and larvae;
• investigate the spawning and nursery areas of commercially and ecologically important fish species;
• provide an opportunity for capacity development on fish eggs and larvae identification.
• compile a report on the results for comparative studies