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21st Session of the Fishery Committee for the Central Eastern Atlantic (CECAF) – Paving the way towards more efficiency

The 21st Session of the Fishery Committee for the Central Eastern Atlantic (CECAF) was held in Dakar, Senegal from 20 to 22 April 2016 with the participation of 23 Member countries, including the European Union, as well as observers from different regional and sub-regional fisheries organisations, cooperation agencies and NGOs. The Committee had last met in March 2012.

Related topics

International Fisheries

date:  29/04/2016

In this session the Committee recommended exploring options - and related costs and benefits - to improve CECAF functioning. The option of transforming CECAF  into a regional fisheries management organisation was one of them.

Stronger cooperation with other Regional and sub-regional fisheries organisations was also advocated. The CECAF Secretariat committed to draft an action plan addressing the recommendations of the 2011 performance review and to find ways to ensure regular meetings. It will also facilitate communication and dissemination of information.

On the science issue, the Committee endorsed the assessment of the 7th Session of the Scientific Subcommittee (Tenerife, Spain, October 2015), while insisting on the need to improve research and data collection in the region, harmonise the presentation of scientific advice and enhance the dialogue between scientists and managers. It is important to note that the Committee took up the role of Regional Steering Committee in the new Ecosystem Approach for Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Programme. This will allow CECAF to take the lead in coordinating and fixing priorities for the scientific surveys and research programmes carried out in its remit.

With regard to the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, progress is being achieved in several member countries, some of which announced that they are about to ratify the Port State Measures Agreement.

The EU welcomes the results of the session, which should help to improve the functioning of this regional fisheries body and its role in the sustainable management of fisheries in Central Eastern Atlantic.

The Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) is a consultative body under Article VI of the FAO Constitution. It has no regulatory powers and recommendations are not binding on Committee Members. It operates under a Main Committee and a Scientific Sub-committee, the latter providing scientific advice.  The EU is a Member of CECAF as well as France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain. The total number of CECAF Member countries is 34.