Case CV-2 Fishing management measures for some demersal species in Cabo Verde

IIn Cabo Verde, artisanal fishing of demersal stocks is showing signs of overexploitation in some areas. That is why some management measures are being put in place. This case study presents the details.

1) Problems related to demersal species 
Catches of small species are verified and, in many cases, are below the legal size. These species are declining (case of cod catches and other species).
Existence of various types of conflict with other vessels and other types of fishing;
The lack of organisation of the professional class at the level of fishing communities is one of the obstacles blocking the development of fishing.
Lack of effective monitoring and surveillance

2) measures implemented
DOBRADA (Spicara melanurus)
Monitoring fishing effort by means of licenses ;
Setting the minimum size for catching and marketing this species at 17 cm;
Set the minimum mesh size for side meshes at 30 mm and 60 mm stretched mesh.

Grouper (Cephalopholis taeniops) ; goraz-(Lutjanus sp) vivaneau
Ban on commercial fishing of coastal demersal species while scuba diving.
Ban on industrial fleet activities within 3 nautical miles;
Capacity-building for fishing communities in terms of participatory surveillance;
Setting a minimum size of 30 cm for catching and marketing grouper and sea bream (Lithognathus mormyrus) ;

3) Existing or planned co-management measures
Within the framework of the co-management initiative, the co-management associations of the Ribeira da Barca community can propose other specific measures such as increasing the minimum catch size, closing the fishing zone for recovery, or installing FCDs (Fish Concentration Devices) and their surveillance.

In Cabo Verde, Co-management of fishery resources is still in its early stages. However, some co-management activities are already in place or planned.

Chapter 3: Implementation of resource management measures.

This case may be of interest to countries in need of co-management of fisheries resources, but which have not yet implemented such management or are in the early stages of implementation.