FISH4ACP project: FAO launches pilot phase for observers in Cameroon.

The first batch of 17 selected observers were initiated in training procedures during a three-day workshop held at the Limbe Maritime School of Fisheries. 

The observers will serve as onboarding surveyors and or data collector with industrial fishing vessels. 

Speaking during the closing of the workshop, the FAO representative in Cameroon, Dr Meke Soung Pierre Nolasque, said the implementation of FISH4ACP is led by FAO with funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 

He added that the observer program is a powerful management tool in ensuring traceability of data in industrial fishing while noting that the current situation of unavailability data leads to over exploitation of marine products. 

Thus, the observers, will provide relevant data on fishing vessel activities in the three coastal regions-South, South West and Littoral. 

The approach, it was said, aims to provide reliable data on shrimp stocks, complementing the information provided by fishing vessel captains 

“Until now, fishing operations are carried out under the declaration of the fishing captain when he lands. But it turns out that there is other information that is necessary for stock assessment that is not collected, such as data on discards and bycatch,” he said. 

It should be noted that, shrimp is Cameroon’s main seafood export product. With an estimated yearly production of 4,200 tonnes from industrial and over 1,000 tonnes from artisanal fishing, the shrimp value chain is profitable for all the actors involved – industrial and artisanal fishers, processors, wholesalers and retailers. 

By strengthening the business and sanitary environment, FISH4ACP strives to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the shrimp sector. 

It equally seeks to promote access to high-value markets to reinforce the local economy and foster employment, in particular for women and youth.

FAO, through the initiative, also intends to increase the productivity of Cameroon’s shrimp sector by promoting a sustainable and responsibly managed shrimp fishery that stimulates economic growth and brings social benefits for all involved in the value chain. 

This will be done through improve stock management and monitoring of fishing activities, ensuring lesser impact on the environment with long-term sustainability efforts. 

To facilitate the work of observers, the “Siren application” developed by the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organisation, AMMCO, will be used to collect and analyse data related to fishing activities. 

The tool will centralise information and optimise the management of shrimp stocks in Cameroon

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Issue No:3184 of Tuesday July 30, 2024