Conference:
Abstract: "The sardinella fishery of the East Central Atlantic (North-west to Central Africa) is of particular interest because of its potential as a low cost source of protein for millions of people in coastal countries. Due to the highly migratory character of fish stocks and the nature of different groups participating, coastal states are faced with a number of management problems.
"This paper reviews common property characteristics of the sardinella fishery in the East Central Atlantic, distribution pattern of fish stocks and their state of exploitation. It provides some insight into various efforts made by international, regional and national bodies to provide information on, and a forum for collective management of sardinella stocks to enable coastal countries to obtain optimum benefits from their exploitation. It also discusses effectiveness and relevance of these efforts, particularly with regard to protein supply, employment creation in coastal areas and improvement to the socio-economic status of coastal fishermen whose livelihoods depend to a large extent on this fishery. Finally, it suggests ways by which research and policies could increase benefits derived from exploitation of this fishery through rational utilization."