Brehmer Patrice, Jeyid M.A. (2026). Report of sub-regional workshop on management procedures for small pelagic species in West Africa.
Dakar : SRFC, 31 p. multigr.
The workshop achieved four key outcomes. First, it fostered a shared understanding among
participants of Management Procedures (MPs) and Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE), with
broad consensus on their value for strengthening science-based, coordinated management of shared
small pelagic stocks. Second, it identified critical challenges to their implementation, including limited
harmonization of data systems, insufficient compliance and stakeholder engagement, environmental
uncertainties, and the complexity of managing transboundary resources. Third, it initiated dialogue on
potential sub-regional management objectives (such as stock rebuilding, long-term sustainability, food
security, and catch stability) while highlighting the need to balance trade-offs and build political trust
among countries sharing the same stock. Finally, participants expressed a strong commitment to
continuing this work through a structured regional process under the SRFC framework. The
participants recommended that the SRFC take a leading role in advancing MPs and MSE through a
structured sub-regional process, beginning with pilot applications on key shared stocks. This process
should focus on aligning common management objectives among Member States, strengthening and
harmonizing data systems, enhancing regional scientific and governance coordination, and ensuring
active stakeholder participation throughout the process. To support these efforts, participants
recommended the establishment of a Technical Working Group coordinated by the SRFC and
composed of representatives from the Member States. The Group could work in synergy with FAO,
The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Ocean Foundation (TOF), IRD and other relevant scientific and technical
partners. The Working Group would contribute to the development of a regional roadmap, assess
technical and governance requirements, and support the implementation of pilot activities. As a first
practical step, participants supported the organisation of technical sessions and capacity-building
activities focused on the application of MPs and MSE approaches to the round sardinella (Sardinella
aurita) fishery, with the objective of exploring the development of a pilot sub-regional MP for this
shared stock. More broadly, participants encouraged the progressive extension of these approaches
to other fisheries and strategic stocks of ecological, socioeconomic and food-security importance.
