Case CD-3 Co-management at regional level: Management of small pelagic fish stocks in the coastal areas of Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire with regional fisheries organisations.
【2. Côte d’Ivoire】
| Context | Although co-management of resources at regional level is exceedingly difficult, there is a successful experience of harmonization of resource management measures between Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring countries with the participation of the regional fisheries organisation. This case study presents the details. |
| Content | Since 2016, Ghana has implemented a biological rest (annual seasonal closure); The duration of this closure is two months from 1 July to 31 August, as follows From 1 July to 31 July for artisanal fishing and small pelagic industrial units; 1 August to 31 August for trawlers. During this closed period, artisanal fishing units operating in Ghana migrate to Côte d’Ivoire to escape the provisions in force there, due to the lack of harmonization of management measures in this region. These migrations of fishers have an impact on this biological rest period, as the targeted stocks are shared between Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Liberia and Nigeria. With the intervention of the regional organisation ‘Fisheries Committee for the Central West of the Gulf of Guinea’ (CPCO), the closing period is harmonized among the participating countries. FISHERIES CONCERNED : Demersal stocks shared between Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo include the Brachydeuterus auritus group, Galeoides decadactylus, Pseudotolithus sp. (fry, captains and Dentex) and other Sparidae spp. (goldfish) as target species. FISHING UNITS:
PERIOD AND DURATION: For 2023, from July 1st to August 31st, for industrial and semi-industrial fishing and from July 1st to August 31st for artisanal fishing. The closure in 2023 will be implemented. Awareness-raising has already been conducted in the localities. Several meetings and a national workshop in Grand-Bassam were initiated by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries with all actors in the value chain to involve them in the decision-making process. They unanimously approved the decision, but asked the government to provide accompanying measures. Artisanal fishermen involved in the process. A monitoring and coordination committee made up of all stakeholders is due to be set up shortly to put this decision into practice. |
| Lessons Learned | Stocks shared at sub-regional level were threatened by overfishing and the absence of harmonised management measures. In these circumstances, the regional/sub-regional closure will be beneficial for fishing in both the entire region/sub-region, for the recruitment of fish species and for the socio-economic well-being of stakeholders. |
| Guideline chapter relevant to this case study | Chapter 4: Strengthening the role and practical capacity of administration 4.3 Promoting the extension of co-management of fisheries resources |
| Situation to which this case study could refer | This case may be instructive for countries seeking to promote co-management of fisheries resources with neighbouring countries, or for regional fisheries organisations seeking to harmonise fisheries management policies between member countries. |