WEST AFRICAN FISHERIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 24, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 12, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
& 25X1
DATE (012/_`_
DOC NO ~r.r g(o^ .~d II (~
OCR 3
P &P D I SA., RCS
Central Intelligence Agency
12 May 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR: R. Randall Dentel
African Coastal Security Program
International Security Affairs, Africa
Department of Defense
Chief, Geography Division
industry.
1. Attached is a typescript memorandum which examines the West African marine
fishery resource--the current level of its exploitation, its economic significance for the
region, and the degree of foreign involvement in the fishing industry. It also analyzes the
status of management efforts, and assesses the prospects for fuller development of the
2. The research and analysis were done by I Ithe
Africa/Western Hemisphere Branch, Geography Division, Office of Global Issues.
Attachment:
West Africa: The Fisheries Dilemma
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
ILLEGIB
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
25X1
OGI/GD/AWH
(6 May 86)
Distribution:
Original - R. Randall Dentel
1 - Noel Koch, Defense, DASD, OASD/ISA/AF
1 - James L. Woods, Defense, OASD/ISA/AF
1 - Major Thomas Culbert, JCS/J-5
1 - James Bishop, State, DASS, Africa
1 - Peter Lande, State, D/EPS/AF
1 - Anthony Dalsimer, State, D/INR/AA
1 - Howard K. Walker, State, D/AF/WA
1 - Gregory Bradford, State, AF
1 - James Pierce, State, PM/SAS
1 - Larry Snead, State, OES/OFA
1 - Faye Johnson, State, PM/ISP
1 - Jeffery Davidow, State, D/AF/RA
1 - Scott N. Thayer, State, Special Assistant, OES
1 - George Demko, State, D/INR/GE
1 - Mary S. Seasword, State, C/C-S Africa, INR/AA
1 - David L. Dodson, State, INR/EC Sub-Saharan Africa
1 - Gerald Posner, Commerce, NOAA/NMFS
1 - Thomas Waltz, Commerce, NOAA/NSDIC/AISC
1 - Christopher Jones, Commerce, NOAA,NMFS
1 - Frank Dimond, AID, AF/RA
1 - Thomas J. O'Donnell, State, D/EB/ERP/ICD
1 - M. Kravanja, Commerce, NMFS
1 - Prudence Fox, Commerce, NOAA/DOC
25X1
1 -
1 - Ambassador Pugh, US Embassy, Nouakchott
1 - Ambassador Walker. US Embassy, Senegal
1 - Ambassador Rosenthal, US Embassy, Conakry
1 - Ambassador Lewis. US Embassy, Freetown
1 - Ambassador Miller, US Embassy, Abidjan
1 - Ambassador Ruddy, US Embassy, Malado
1 - Frederick Wettering, NIO/Africa
1 - ALA/AF
DDO/AF
DDO/AF
DDO/AF
1 - SA/DDCI
1 - Executive Director
1 - DDI
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
SUBJECT: West Africa: The Fisheries Dilemma
OGI/GD/AWH~
1 - DDI/PES
1 - CPAS/ISS
1 - D/OGI, DD/OGI
1 - OGI/PG/Ch
1 - OGI/EXS/PG
(6 May 86)
25X1
i
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5 . I
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12: CIA-RDP86TO1017R000100860001-5 25X1
Central Intelligence Agency
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
21 April 1986
West Africa: The Fisheries Dilemma
Summary
West African states are unable to effectively manage or police their offshore
waters, and heavy, often unrestrained exploitation of fish by Soviet and other non-
African vessels poses a growing threat to the resource. Stocks of some of the main
commercial species are in danger of depletion. A marked decline in the fisheries
resource would further erode the stability of several West African states for whom
marine fish provide an important source of foreign exchange. Destruction of a va-
luable source of protein would also be a grave loss to this food deficient region
Non-Africans, including the Soviets, continue to be the main beneficiaries of
the region's rich fisheries, harvesting almost 60 percent of the annual catch. The
Soviets take 10 percent of their national catch in West African waters and derive.
both economic and political benefits from fishing agreements with regional coun-
tries. However, a growing awareness of the threat to marine resources, deteriorat-
ing economic conditions, and a greater concern for food security among West Afri-
can states have made prospects for remedial actions more favorable now than at
any time during the past decade. A number of countries including Guinea, Senegal,
and Mauritania are requesting US assistance in the management of their fisheries.
This memorandum was prepared by I I Office of Global Issues. In-
formation available as of 21 April 1986 was used in its preparation. Comments and
queries are welcome and may be directed to the Chief, Africa/Western Hemisphere, Ge-
ography, OGI
6z nn U-.20110
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
.' 'NOR ERN y Sa:ern
hara
. !Portly
Atlantic
Ocean
Major Fishing Grounds
Demersal 0 Pelagic Q Crustacea
0-0 Cephalopod ?( Tuna
- Major shipping lane
= 200-nautical-mile maritime zone
Catch Composition
(1983 Volumes)
by percent
Cephalopod
5.9 -
Crustacea
1.0
500 Kilometers
250 500 Nautical Miles
Mixed
12.9
Ca
Douala
Pelagic
.o 61.4
A.R.
8A GUI.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
The waters off West Africa support some of the richest concentrations of marine
life in the world. Fisheries not only represent an important source of foreign exchange
for a number of financially strapped coastal states, but provide the generally malnour-
ished region with much needed protein. However, the inability of these states to exploit,
manage, and police their offshore waters effectively has resulted in heavy, often unres-
trained, exploitation by Soviet and other foreign fishing fleets. In fact, foreigners harvest
about 60 percent of the reported catch, while the region as a whole remains a net im-
porter of fish--many of which are caught in regional waters.
The marine resources are now seriously threatened because of inadequate pro-
tection and poor management. Fishery experts believe that all of the major and many of
the minor species are fully- to over-exploited, and are concerned that valuable breeding
stocks are being endangered by illegal fishing techniques. There is also fear that unres-
tricted exploitation will result in a depletion of resources similiar to that which has oc-
curred off the coast of Namibia. No littoral country in the region has the equipment,
manpower, or funds necessary to enforce legal restrictions on fishing. Most of the
states failed to develop appropriate management policies or to support such policies
with adequate technical and administrative personnel.
The Soviets have used fishing agreements in West Africa-to, gain legitimate com-
mercial access to ports, facilities. Because they rely on the Soviets for fishery as-
sistance or fish supplies, a number of coastal states have continued to maintain these
agreements despite suspicions that the Soviets are cheating them either by underre-
porting catches or through agreements which deprive them of scarce foreign exchange
earnings. several of the region's socialist coun-
tries, disappointed with the failure of statist economics and with the lack of aid from the
East Bloc, are turning to the West for assistance. US Embassy reports indicate that
several would welcome US help in the management of their fisheries.
Besides the USSR, non-African countries with substantial fishing capabilities in
the region include Spain, South Korea, East Germany, Romania, and France. Of the Afri-
cans, only Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal have sizable industrial
fleets. Throughout most of the region, traditional fishermen using small craft supply fish
for domestic consumption.
US interest in development and management of the marine fisheries is both hu-
manitarian and strategic. Fish represent a readily available and ecologically sound
source of additional protein for an area beset by recurrent drought and famine, and by
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
chronic economic difficulties. An improvement in the ability of these countries to har-
vest and manage their fisheries would help conserve a valuable protein source, provide
additional foreign exchange for the region's bankrupt economies, and reduce Soviet ac-
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
LAI UH t3Y UJUN_I KY
1983
GHANA
6.6%
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
THE FISHERY RESOURCE
The distribution of fish within West African waters is uneven, but two distinct
zones are apparent: a Northern zone extending from Morocco through Liberia, and a
Southern zone extending from the Ivory Coast through Zaire. (See Map) The richest
concentrations of fish occur off the northwest coast; waters to the south are less pro-
ductive. Foreign fishing vessels operate primarily in the north, but find markets for their
harvest among the more heavily populated countries of the south
Five major types of fish are harvested:
Coastal pelagic species (sardines, sardinella, mackerel, etc.) account for about 60
percent of the region's catch by volume. Heavy exploitation of these species by Soviet
and East European fleets as well as by local traditional fishermen in the Northern zone is
placing stress on existing stocks. Management is difficult because of the migratory
habits of the species.
Cephalopods (cuttlefish,. squid, and octopus) make up the region's most valuable
catches. The main cephalopod grounds lie in the Northern Zone off Morocco, Maurita-
nia, and Senegal. Spanish, Moroccan, South Korean, and Mauritanian vessels harvest
most of the catch which is then marketed mainly in Europe and Japan. Signs of ove-
rexploitation have been reported.
Crustacea (mainly shrimp) are found mostly near river mouths and are fully ex-
ploited in both zones. Spanish and other non-African vessels harvest about.half the to-
tal catch. Senegal exports significant amounts. The extensive involvement of traditional
as well as industrial fishermen in shrimping makes proper management of the stocks
Demersal fish (bottom-dwellers including seabream, hake, croakers, sole) are
heavily exploited in the Northern Zone by Spanish, Portuguese, Soviet, and African in-
dustrial vessels. In the Southern Zone African fishermen exploit stocks in the inshore
areas, but fishery experts see room for expansion offshore. Good management of this
fishery is feasible because of the limited involvement of traditional fishermen.
Ocean pelagic species (tuna) form an important resource for the African industrial
fleets with both Ghana and the Ivory Coast harvesting significant amounts. Spanish and
French vessels, using Abidjan, Ivory Coast as their main regional base, are also active.
Recent reports indicate a possible decline in the West African tuna fishery, and pros-
pects for good fishing in the Indian Ocean may draw more French, Spanish and other
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
-PELAGIC
-DEMERSAL
1,1
-CRUSTACEAN
-CEPHALOPOD
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
Despite a gradual decline during the past decade in their number, non-African
vessels continue to report harvests of over half the marine catch in the region, es-
pecially from the rich Northern Zone. Their home countries--the USSR and Spain in
particular--take advantage of the still poorly developed local African fishing industry.
Non-African vessels operate under a variety of arrangements e.g., country-to-country,
multilateral, and private investment agreements. African states receive licensing fees,
grants in aid, research and training, capital investments, or concessions in joint ventures
in return for fishing rights. Joint ventures are attractive to many of the coastal states,
because they supposedly promote the transfer of technology and provide for eventual
local control of fishing. -But in practice they often result in the stagnation of the local
industry; they can deprive locals of needed foreign exchange and fish protein. For ex-
ample, Estrela do Mar, the Guinea-Bissauan joint venture with the Soviets has drained
foreign exchange earnings out of the country, according to US Embassy Bissau.
Most foreign assistance to West Africa's fishery sector is in the form of bilateral
aid with Japan, Sweden, France, Norway, and Canada the major donors. The EEC, OPEC
and other multilateral organizations are also major sources of aid. The impact of the
assistance on increasing the amount of fish available for sale locally, however, has been
limited. A recent AID funded study noted that assistance has been heavily weighted to-
ward infrastructure and capital equipment for the industrial sector rather than toward
the development of the traditional sector which provides most of the fish for the local
Soviets and East Europeans
Soviet interest in West African waters is primarily economic with some secondary
military considerations, while Romanian and East German interests are primarily eco-
nomic. Fishing agreements in the region provide the Soviets access to local ports and
allow them to position their vessels near international shipping lanes. The agreements
also provide the Soviets, who rely heavily on their fishing industry for their protein
needs, with about 10 percent,of their national catch. Romania and East Germany are
even more dependent on these waters for fish, with 60 percent and 40 percent respec-
In 1983 about a third of the regional catch by volume was landed by Soviet ves-
sels. The Soviets are also a major supplier of fish products to West African coastal
countries. The Soviets fish principally off the northwestern coast from Western Sahara
to Liberia. Although they are suspected of poaching and of grossly underreporting
catches, their vessels are only occasionally arrested for a fishing violation and operate
Catch reports submitted by the Soviets and Eastern Block countries are commonly
believed to be less than half of the catch actually taken; a recent study
estimates that actual Soviet catch may be three times that rennrted
orlyl
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
o, o
Cape Verde
o
PRAIA9
North
Atlantic
Ocean
Morocco
Algeria
Combatant/ noncombatant
naval call since 1981
0 250 500 Kilometers
f~
A OUAGAD GOU
Ivc
Co
Togo
PORTO-
IME NOVO LAGOS
Niger
Sao Tome and Principe
A0
TOME
IBREVIL
Gab
South
Atlantic
Ocean
Paint
tNoin
Islands d ? is
Sahara-
Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT
mbia '-I
RISSA 'SSa6
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
largely unpoliced throughout the region.
The Soviets maintain fishing agreements with five countries in the rich northern
zone. Establishment of fishery treaties began in the 1970s following the creation of
200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones. The treaties give Soviet vessels access to the re-
gion's fishing grounds and generally include provisions for training, the survey of re-
sources, the establishment of processing plants, and the sale of fish to local markets. In
return the Soviets often receive hard currency, a large percent of the catch, and use of
local ports.
ports.
Fishing and trade in fish products allows Soviet vessels to reconnoiter regional
Port visits make it possible for the Sovi-
ets to position disguised naval intelligence ships with sophisticated surveillance equip-
ment--often converted trawlers--near strategically important shipping lanes.
Some Soviet fishing agreements, such as those with Equatorial Guinea and Sene-
gal, have been terminated, but others, such as those with Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra
Leone, Mauritania, and Morocco, have been renegotiated despite unhappiness with Soviet
performance. According to US Embassy Nouakchott, strained relations due to detention
by Mauritanians in 1984 of several Soviet vessels for illegal fishing activities have not
curbed the growth of Soviet involvement in Mauritanian waters because Mauritania des-
perately needs fishing revenues and jobs for its populace. The Soviets plan a major
drydock operation in Nouadhidbou to support their augmented fishing fleet. Dissatisfac-
tion has resulted from Soviet failure to provide promised shore facilities or training, or
to deliver a sufficient percentage of catch to local markets. Even when fish are supplied,
they are generally of poor quality. For both the Soviet and the West African traditional
fishermen, coastal pelagic fish are the primary catch. The Soviets reportedly manufac-
ture fish meal with much of their catch.
Soviet joint ventures with private Spanish (Sovhispan) and French (Fransov) inter-
ests are active in harvesting, marketing, and processing fish in the region. These inter-
ests facilitate the negotiation of fishing agreements, and provide avenues for economic
and political penetration. According to US Embassy Freetown, the Fransov/Sierra Leone
joint venture company (Sierra. Leone Fishing Company) operates under an agreement
which allows it to monitor Soviet catch in national waters.
Although the Soviets no longer have a fishing agreement with Senegal, they are
suspected of fishing illegally in Senegalese waters, especially in the disputed waters of
the south, according to Defense Attache reports. A recent report indicates that the So-
viets have been pushing for an agreement allowing 10-12 trawlers off the southern
coast. They use Dakar Marina for servicing and repair of vessels and Dakar International
Eastern European catch in the region has decreased over the past years, but Ro-
manians and East Germans continue to harvest 60 percent and 40 percent respectively
of their marine catch in the region. Their activities are concentrated in Mauritanian wa-
ters. According to FAO reports the Poles are no longer fishing in the area.
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
Spain and Western Europe
The proximity of West Africa's productive waters to Europe draws many fisher-
men into the region. For Spain, which is being squeezed out of some of its traditional
fisheries, waters off Morocco and Western Sahara are increasingly attractive. The favor-
able terms extracted by Morocco in its 1983 fishery agreement with Spain reflect the
importance Spain attaches to these waters. The value of the catch by Spanish vessels
in the region exceeds that of all other nations. From bases in the Canary Islands and
southern Spain, Spanish vessels operate primarily off the coast of Morocco, Mauritania,
and Senegal. They also fish in the Gulf of Guinea and in central African waters. Span-
ish vessels are frequently cited for violations and, like the Soviets, are suspected of ov-
erfishing and underreporting their catches. Operating within the framework of govern-
ment-to-government and company agreements, they harvest tuna, crustacea,
cephalopods, demersal, and small pelagics--marketing the latter throughout West Africa.
French, Portuguese, and Italian vessels also operate in the region. At least 10
percent of the French national catch comes from West African waters. French vessels--
generally private companies working within the framework of EEC agreements--operate
primarily out of Abidjan and Dakar harvesting relatively high value tuna, demersals and
lobsters. The Portuguese are working to develop and expand their interests. Current
efforts are concentrated among former Portuguese colonies, Cape Verde and Bissau, as
well as in other Northern coastal countries. Italian catches in the region have fluctuated,
but have generally been less than most other non-African actors. Italian vessels are
normally based in Senegal and Togo.
The South Koreans and the Japanese have been the primary East Asians involved
in regional fisheries, but the Chinese, using Las Palmas as a base, are also beginning to
fish in the region. South Korean fishing vessels operate out of bases in the Canaries
and harvest cephalopods, demersals, and tuna. The ROK provides training, technical aid,
and assistance in establishment of joint ventures. Japan has been a major source of bi-
lateral aid for West African marine fisheries; recent assistance includes a total of almost
$3,000,000 in grants in aid to Togo and Ghana, and the gift of a research vessel and
loan of a training team to Nigeria. Japanese vessels have been relatively inactive for
the past few years, but in late 1985 Japan signed a one year agreement with Morooco
allowing them to harvest tuna in Morrocan waters. According to US Embassy Bissau,
PRC and Guinea Bissau signed a fishing agreement early 1985. Chinese vessels are also
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
4. Building traditional fishing boats, Banjul
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
Economic and Nutritional Significance for West Africa
Despite the underdevelopment of their fishing industries, marine fish and fish
products play a significant role in the trade balances of several West African states. In
1983, the latest year for which we have complete statistics, $1.4 billion worth of fish
were caught in the waters off West Africa. Fish are particularly important to the econo-
mies of the northern coastal states such as Senegal, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau
where they are the principal source of foreign exchange; in Mauritania fish are projected
to exceed iron ore as the primary foreign exchange earner in 1986, and in Morocco they
comprise a major item of trade and source of employment--generating $190 million in
revenues in 1983. Elsewhere, for Guinea and Sierra Leone, fishery experts estimate the
foreign exchange value--as yet unrealized--for the resource at $60 million and $42 mil-
lion respectively. Principal exporters of marine fish products are Morocco, Spain's Canary
Islands, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
Foreign exchange earnings based on fisheries are obtained through licensing fees
and other remunerations from foreign fleets as well as from export of fish and fish
products, but the full benefit of these arrangements are seldom realized. Coastal states
frequently lack the ability or the political will to properly establish and enforce fishing
agreements. For example, Defense attache reports suggest that the Senegalese may be
overlooking instances of illegal fishing by the Soviets in their waters because the Sovi-
ets are the biggest customers for the financially troubled marine repair facility in Dakar.
Furthermore, fee collection is frequently based on reporting by those who are fishing the
waters; fishing agreements and protocols also often contain conditions which favor the
foreign vessels. For instance, US Embassy Conakry reports that Soviet vessels fishing in
Guinea waters pay annual license fees (based on a flat percentage of ship tonnage) of
about US $800,000 dollars. If they were forced to pay on the basis of actual catch, esti-
mated revenues would be in the range of $4 million.
According to a Fishery Committee for the East Central Atlantic (CECAF) report,
intra-regional trade in fish accounts for only 15 percent of the region's import require-
ments. France, other West European countries and the USSR are major suppliers. The
drain on limited foreign exchange is sizeable, especially for large importers like Nigeria
or economically strapped countries such as Sierra Leone and Togo. Insufficient local
supplies occur primarily in the, south with its less prolific resource base, but shortages
also occur in the north where local fleets cannot meet domestic needs and foreign
fleets licensed to fish in territorial waters. land insufficient quantities of low cost fish for
sale to locals. The major consuming countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, the Ivory
Coast, and Togo. The market for fish is also strong in the Congo, Cameroon, and Ga-
Fish have been a major source of protein in the region, and rapid increases in
population and recurrent droughts in traditional grazing areas have added to their im-
portance. FAO estimates about one-half the animal protein consumed in most coastal
states is in the form of fish and fish products. The concentration of the region's bur-
geoning population along the coast gives added significance to this resource. According
to a recent study by CECAF, the average regional production of fish per capita in 1980
was only 40 percent of average regional consumption. The region accounts for about
20 percent of the world trade in canned mackeral and sardine (pelagics).
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
African coastal states could decrease imports of fish, conserve foreign exchange,
and create new employment opportunities if policies limiting foreign fishing and encour-
aging local traditional or industrial fishermen were instituted. According to U.S. fishery
experts (Sutinen and Pollnac) an increase in the exploitation of coastal pelagics by locals
could result in a significant increase in protein food supplies for the region, if process-
ing facilities and trade and marketing policies are also made available.
The fishing industry in West Africa is estimated to employ over 600,000 tradition-
al and 15,000 industrial fisherman. Additional personnel are employed in marketing,
processing, and distribution. An expansion of the African industrial fleets would not
open up a large number of jobs in the fishing sector, however, a reduction in traditional
fishing operations would affect not only fishermen but also those who depend on pro-
cessing, distribution, and marketing for their livelihood. Morocco, with the most devel-
oped fishery sector in the region has 70,000 employed in the industry.
Status of Management and Development Efforts
Poor management and heavy exploitation threaten the future of the region's ma-
rine fisheries. Coastal countries are unable to effectively patrol their offshore waters,
enforce existing laws, or maintain the technical and administrative structures needed to
support appropriate policies. Not only are stocks of some of the principal commercial
species over-exploited, but post-harvest losses are generally high, and the handling,
processing, and marketing of traditional fishery products remain major constraints to
expansion of the industry.
The growth of national management capabilities has been hampered by high
costs, manpower deficiencies, and inadequate development of institutional structures
and enforcement capabilities. Lack of political will to deprive influential nationals of
benefits they derive from the current inequitable arrangements has also been a key
constraint. In Sierra Leone, for example, the managing director of the Sierra Leone Fish-
ing Company is generally believed to be responsible for much of the corruption in the
country's fishing industry, and in Mauritania, the office of Minister of Fisheries has been
considered a training ground for corruption, according to US Embassy reports.
Naval and coastal guard units are generally small and poorly funded. [SEE TABLE]
Their efforts are hampered by inadequate equipment, a lack of trained personnel, spare
parts, and air surveillance capabilities. Lengthy coastlines and extensive continental
shelf areas exacerbate their problems. For instance, the small Mauritanian navy--one of
the regions better equipped units--is tasked with policing a 754 kilometer coastline from
a base in the northern part of the country; operations of the eight patrol boats and two
Piper-Cheyenne aircraft are limited by fuel and spare part shortages, and there are peri-
Policing efforts are often directed at limiting illegal fishing by foreign vessels
rather than at full enforcement.. Even these attempts are sometimes frustrated by cor-
ruption and the ability of foreign fleets--especially the Soviet--to track patrol boat
movements. High seas inspections of vessels are infrequent--especially for those fish-
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
COUNTRY
LENGTH
COASTLINE
KM2
EXTENT
CONTINENTAL
SHFELF
KM
F
C
(
ENFORCEMENT N
UNIT P
ISHERY
APABIL
JANUAR
UMBER
ATROL
PATROL
ITIES
Y 1986)
OF OPERATIONAL POOR
CRAFT MAINTE
LACK OF
NANCE FUEL
SHORTAGE OF
SPARE PARTS
INADEQUATE
OR
INSUFFICIENT
TRAINING
LACK AIR
SURVEILLANCE
CAPABILITIES
MOROCCO
2,300
75,000
Navy
MAURITANIA
754
32,500
Navy
SENEGAL
500
30,000
Navy
GAMBIA
80
5,200
Harbor Patrol
CAPE VERDE
1,000
10,200
3,500
GUINEA-
BISSAU
350
52,500
SIERRA
LEONE
300
29,900
Navy
0 X
X
LIBERIA
560
17,400
Coast Guard
2 X
X
X
X
IVORY COAST
600
11,600
Navy
6 X
X
X
X
X
GHANA
550
21,700
Navy
3
TOGO
70
1,700
Navy
2
BENIN
100
2,600
Navy
0
NIGERIA
860
32,300
Navy
37*
CAMEROON
450
25,000
Navy
4
EQ. GUINEA
200
50,763
Navy
0
GABON
800
39,000
Navy
4
CONGO
180
16,000
Navy
9 X
X
X
X
ZAIRE
40
1,029
Navy
X
X
X
X
SAO TOME/
135
43,903
Navy
X
X
X
X
PRINCIPE
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
25X1
25X1
4
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
5. The damaged Siaka Stevens, Sierra Leone's only
patrol vessel
- Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
ing under joint venture or bilateral agreements; Coastal states from Sierra Leone to
Morocco with rich fishery resources are especially vulnerable to overfishing abuses by
foreign fleets. But even states to the south with less productive waters often suffer be-
cause they lack the means to prevent abuses. A number of the littoral states, including
Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Guinea have requested US assistance in improv-
The absence of a strong legal framework also gives rise to management prob-
lems. The establishment of legislation to delimit fishing zones and territorial waters is
still incomplete as is that regulating catch rates, weight and size limits, and type of gear.
Conflicting claims over jurisdication of offshore waters such as those off Western Saha-
ra and those in the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal boundary zone fuel disputes and inhibit ac-
Because of the difficulty of mobilizing fishery expertise and financial resources at
the national level, most basic fishery management functions have been carried out under
the direction of CECAF, a FAO/UNDP funded organization. CECAF facilitates communica-
tion between member states and supplies technical expertise. The stock assessments,
catch statistics collecting and training activities carried out under its direction are es-
sential to the formation of good management policies.
The involvement of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) in
development of the fishery sector has been minimal, despite the concentration of prime
fishing grounds and large markets in its region. The activities of the francophone West
African Economic Community (CEAO) in the sector has also been limited.
A recent report on global hunger concluded that at present most acute malnutri-
tion is concentrated in Africa; yet the waters off Africa containing rich concentrations of
marine resources are being fished to supply the needs of those in the developed world.
There is an irony in the fact that this locally abundant source of complete protein is in
danger of being lost to Africans. Most nations in West and Central Africa must rely
heavily on food aid and imports to provide their populations with minimum dietary re-
quirements; available statistics on infant mortality and on calorie consumption levels,
however, suggest that despite imports large numbers remain chronically underfed. Pro-
tein consumption averages about 50 grams per day--only half that of the Soviet Union
and other developed countries. Fish has been an important source of protein in West
Africa--especially for the poor--but local supplies are inadequate and governments of-
ten expend scarce foreign exchange to import fish. Recurrent drought and animal dis-
eases such as rinderpest have reduced the availability of other local sources of animal
protein.
************:~~:'It k:~~::':'X'k:~*****~::~1 ***F.!'****k'I ***J:::}::Y:' ***** '~::!*Y]k~::C**k'. **:::~:~:~*****: *******YC:~:: ***
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
Prospects for Development
Recent technical studies indicate that future growth of the local fishing industry
and continued viability of the marine fishery resource will depend on the ability of Afri-
can states to reduce pressures on marine stocks--especially on coastal pelagics and
cephalopods. The key to relieving these pressures is improvement in management and
enforcement capabilities. In addition, regional cooperation will continue to be necessary
to ensure intra-regional dialogue and the availability of the stock assessments, statistics,
and basic training activities critical to implementation of realistic management policies.
If the ability to manage and enforce this resource can be improved, the expansion of the
local fishing industry can proceed without threatening stocks. To attract private in-
vestment for the expansion, governments will need to establish favorable policies.
Efforts to develop the marine fisheries of West Africa face enormous obstacles,
but we believe that prospects for gain are more favorable now than at any time in the
past. The growing awareness that past arrangements have done little to improve the
local capabilities and that foreigners, especially the Soviets, continue to reap the ben-
efits of the rich offshore waters have prompted a number of countries to seek Western
assistance to strengthen safeguards for their resources. In the current environment, we
believe Western efforts to assist West Africans in developing their management capabil-
ities and to encourage private investment will help reduce Soviet and other foreign
Despite the improved climate, however, it is unlikely that development will be ei-
ther rapid or sustained. The political will to make changes is-often lacking. This is es-
pecially true in countries which rely on existing agreements for their supply of fish for
urban areas or for foreign exchange earnings, or where important nationals are benefit-
ting from current arrangements. In other instances, the importance of bilateral military
and economic agreements with countries whose vessels fish their waters may override
concerns over the loss of fishery resources. The record of state run industry in West
Africa has not been good. Private development of the industrial fleet would probably be
most effective, but to date there has been insufficient private foreign investment at-
tracted to the industry. In our judgment, assistance to this sector is likely to be re-
quired in a wide variety of ways and over a long period of time.
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
9. Laborers at fish processing plant, Daka
L. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5
- Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12 : CIA-RDP86T01017R000100860001-5