Outline

1. The ecosystem approach to fisheries: rationale, history and institutional foundations Tentative implications for West Africa

2. Outline • Timing of environmental concerns • Contemporary problem • Terminology • Institutional foundations of EAF • Conclusions • Implications for West Africa

3. Timing of environmental concerns • EAF is a product of the 20th century • Main forces: global commons and human pressure • 1950s: N. Atlantic fish resources and shipping risk; • 1950-1970s: oil and dumping industries; • 1970-1990s: oil and gas, aggregates, risk of collision, non-indigenous species, endangered species and overfishing. • Since 1990: Impacts of fishing, of non-fishing activities, natural variability, climate change • In the future: add deep seabed minerals;

4. Contemporary problem • Fishing impacts: overfishing,associated and dependent species, bottom and habitat, ghost fishing, By-catch and discards, destructive fishing, deep-sea resources, genetic impacts, coastal aquaculture and ranching; • Non-fishing impacts: Pollution, Eutrophication, Biological impacts (hormones), Habitat degradation, Invasive species, Contamination (Food quality) • Variability / uncertainty: El Niño, decadal change, global change • Recurrent signals: whaling; shrimp-turtle; tuna-dolphin; large-scale pelagic drifnets; CITES listing of fishery species; ecolabelling; protected areas;

5. Terminology • Fisheries management • Ecosystem management: Wildlife management; Environment management; Biodiversity management; • Ecosystem-based fishery management or Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) • Ecosystem approach (CBD)

7. Convergence of paradigms • Merging terminology:Ecosystem approach and ecosystem-based management • 2 families of institutions: ministries, commissions, research institutions • 2 different processes: formal, media-driven • Confluence or collision? Terminology

8. Institutional foundations (1) • 1902: ICES Charter. Periodically revised; • 1969: Establishment of GESAMP; • 1971: Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Conv.). SD, PAs; • 1971: Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB). PAs. • 1972: Prevention of Marine Pollution (London Conv.) • 1972: UN Conference on marine environment (Stockholm) • 1973: UNCLOS III process • 1973: CITES Embodies an ecosystem-based approach. • 1979: Conservation of Migratory Species (Bonn Conv.) • 1979: Indian Ocean whale sanctuary; • 1980: CCAMLR • 1981: Regional conventions: WC Africa and SE Pacific; • 1982: LOS Convention: integrates all others;

9. Institutional foundations (2) • 1982: Protocol on Specially Protected Areas; • 1985: IWC moratorium on whaling; • 1985-1986: a number of regional seas conventions • 1989: Basel Convention (prior consent); • 1989-1991: UNGA Res. on Large-Scale Pelagic Driftnet; • 1989: Exxon Valdez oil spill • 1990: North Pacific Marine Science Org. (PISCES); • 1991: MARPOL Guidelines for PSSAs; • 1992: UNCED Declaration and Agenda 21; • 1992: Convention on Biological Diversity; • 1994: Code on Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms;

10. Institutional foundations (3) • 1994: Antarctic whale sanctuary; • 1995: Global Programme of Action (GPA); • 1995: UN Fish Stock Agreement; • 1995: Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; • 1997: International Guidelines for Ballast Water; • 1999: ITLOS and Pacific Southern Bluefin Tuna • 1999-2001 FAO International Plans of Action (IPOAs) • 2001: FAO Reykjavik Conference

11. EAF and the Code of Conduct The Code provides for: • “Due respect to the ecosystem”; • the role of environmental factors; • minimizing impacts of fisheries; • facing impacts of other users, pollution; • habitat protection; • maintenance, safeguard of biodiversity; Institutional foundations

12. EAF and the Code of Conduct The Code provides for: • protection of dependent, associated species; • protection of endangered species; • rehabilitation / maintenance of populations • Integration of fisheries management in CAM • better selectivity, minimization of discards • reduction of gear loss and ghost fishing, • uncertainty, risk and precaution Institutional foundations

13. Conclusions • environmental concern: at least 30 years ago; • 2 “old” paradigms: fisheries and ecosystems; • 2 processes and sets of institutions; • 2 sets of tools: capacity control and MPAs; • Recognition of limitations and complementarity; • The Code of Conduct at the junction

14. Implications for West Africa • Governments are globally aware of the problem • Pollution is still low • Regional cooperation has improved (CSRP, SIAP) • There is a nucleus of trained scientists • Laws have already evolved in some countries • presence of foreign fleets • Others? Positive factors: Conclusions

15. Negative factors: • Incomplete knowledge of resources and environment • Limited human and financial resources • Complexity of small-scale fisheries (capacity reduction) • Presence of foreign fleets • Absence of formal fishing rights • Little experience with the precautionary approach • Low participation of fisheries authorities to WTO negotiations • No cooperation between RFMOs and RECs • Little experience in ICAM • Little transparency and participation in decision-making • Globalization (market demand, subsidies) • Population growth • Poverty and food deficiency (low discount rate) • Decreasing ODA Implications for West Africa Conclusions

16. Concluding remarks • Most factors are relevant to sustainable development of fisheries in general and not specific to EAF. They needed to be faced anyway! • Effectively implementing the Code of Conduct will come very close to implementing an EAF; • West Africa may be facing a difficult challenge. It it is not much behind developed countries but it needs collaboration and resources. Implications for W. Africa

17. The ecosystem approach to fisheries: rationale, history and institutional foundations Tentative implications for West Africa