Support to the CECAF project

During the 3-year project period, FAO will organize the other donor and UNDP support needed to ensure CECAF"s continuance following A.I.D. assistance. Project funds will assure that CECAF has a core staff (a technical coordinator, a biologist/statistician, an economist, and an administrative assistant) to continue its essential functions. Illustrative activities in these areas are: (1) Statistics - helping coastal countries upgrade their statistical networks and data processing, compiling regional and national statistical data, establishing a special liaison unit in Las Palmas, Spain, to coordinate the collection of regional data, and maintaining a data bank; (2) Stock Assessments - conducting ad hoc evaluations of specific fisheries resources (especially shared stocks and littoral or localized stock supporting key artisanal fisheries) and helping to monitor stocks by trawl or acoustic surveys; (3) Fisheries Economics - expanding statistical data by including biochemical parameters and analyzing the economic aspects of exploitation; (4) Fisheries Management - analyzing the status of stocks and management, identifying management techniques and options, and organizing ad hoc meetings to familiarize managers with ways and opportunities for promoting regional cooperation; and (5) Training - providing select personnel with short (under 8 weeks) and specific study tours to CECAF headquarters or to other institutions. The actual scope of activities during the project will depend upon FAO"s ability to find other donor support, either in-kind or financial. A specific activity will be the funding of a PASA with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to use an existing orbiting satellite system to identify probable locations of fish aggregations, affirm the persistence of such aggregations, and maintain surveillance of fishery vessels.