Case MT-4 Management of octopus fisheries in Mauritania

【6. Mauritania】

Context	The octopus fishery has been of strategic importance to the Mauritanian fishing sector for many years. It is subject to various management measures designed to regulate fishing effort (such as quota, license, mesh size, rest, and minimum size). The results of the various stock assessments carried out by scientists have shown that octopus is overexploited. As it was not possible to restore a balanced situation, the Octopus fisheries management plan was drawn up on the basis of broad consultation between all stakeholders including administration, research, operators, and civil society.
Content	It should be noted that a new quota-based management paradigm has been introduced, since 2015, to replace effort-based management. The octopus management plan was adopted in 2006 and updated in 2018. It defines measures to ensure the sustainability of octopus farming and limit its impact on the resource and the environment. It also identifies the processes and mechanisms to be put in place to improve the socio-economic results of the fishery, in particular through the following: the creation and equitable distribution of income; the creation of local added value and development; and the securing of employment. Management measures include the following: Determination of Total Allowable Catch (TAC); Quota-based management; Types of fishing, rights of use and rights holders; Authorized gear (for artisanal fishing for octopus using traps or pots and jigging); Octopus fishing shutdowns: two shutdowns of at least two months each (May–June and October–November); Fishing area Size of first catch (500 g).
Lessons Learned	For commercially important fish species, it is important to draw up a comprehensive management plan specific to these species.
Guideline chapter relevant to this case study	Chapter 3: Implementation of resource management measures
Situation to which this case study could refer	This is a useful case study for commercially important fish species seeking to introduce stock co-management measures specific to fish species.