The unbridled exploitation of fisheries resources poses a real threat to the sustainability of the blue economy in Africa, including in the ATLAF-CO zone bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Urgent and concerted measures are needed to ensure the renewal of stocks and their sustainability.
The new concept of the «blue economy» has varying defi-nitions. Generally, there is agreement on the one given by the World Bank: «The sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and employ-ment while maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem». The activities that comprise blue economy must meet three major conditions: provide social and economic benefits to current and future generations; restore, protect and main-tain the diversity, productivity, resilience, and intrinsic va-lue of marine ecosystems; and use clean technologies, re-newable energy and circular material flows that will reduce waste and promote the recycling of materials.
Based on these various parameters, the African Union has developed an African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES), adopted by its Executive Council in 2020. ABES has iden-tified five thematic areas: fisheries, aquaculture, conserva-tion and sustainable aquatic ecosystems; transport, trade, ports; coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, re-silience, environment; sustainable energy and mineral resources; policies, institutions and governance. The implementation of this ambitious project requires a com-prehensive and coherent strategy and coordinated and harmonised policies at national, regional and continental levels.
Integrated management
It is obvious that the lack of strategies and coordination is a breeding ground for the scourges that undermine the blue economy in Africa, notably illegal fishing, the anarchic settlement of populations along the coast, overfishing, offshore and coastal mining activities (oil and gas), and the disposal of waste into the water.
In West Africa, for example, IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing is equivalent to 40% to 65% of legal-ly reported catches. Combined with unsafe fishing tech-niques, this results in damage of great concern: decline of fish stocks, loss of biodiversity, destruction of marine habitats, coastal erosion, etc.
Integrated management is one of the solutions envisaged to curb the phenomenon. This approach brings together the actors involved in legislation, exploitation, monitoring, processing, governance, marketing, scientific research and the use of new technologies. In this spirit, Marine Pro-tected Areas (MPAs) could be multiplied and rigorous go-vernance established on a basis accepted by all.
Diverse opportunities
Inclusive exploitation would thus unleash the full potential of all actors, throughout the fisheries and aquaculture va-lue chain, with particular attention to the sustainability of resources and the protection of ecosystems. This should be optimised through strong actions, some of which are highlighted: strengthening women and youth empower-ment enterprises; identifying and encouraging regional value chains; taking advantage of the mariculture sector and emerging ocean activities; investing in infrastructure (ports, roads, cold stores); and enhancing pre-export value addition.
In addition to the classic species, planned management will highlight the many opportunities that are currently under-capitalised. For example, in shallow coastal areas, aquaculture can focus on shellfish and oysters. Beyond consumption, some marine and coastal products are in high demand by tourists and the international market for their purely ornamental value.
Harmonised procedures
In isolation, States will not be able to derive much benefit from the optimal and sustainable exploitation of their fishe-ries resources. Once again, they are urged to share their experiences and resources, and to harmonise their legis-lation (the disparate nature of which allows pirates to slip through the net). They can start by incorporating into natio-nal legislation and ensuring the effective implementation of the international legal instruments they have signed.
Similarly, the ABES guidelines should be reflected in na-tional and regional arrangements, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This news is copied from COMHAFAT / ATLAFCO NEWSLETTER – N° 009 AVRIL /APRIL 2022
