Consensus Statement

Résumé des acquis

1. The reconstruction of long time series by the SIAP has allowed the demonstration, for the countries of the sub-region, that the biomass of bottom fishes has strongly declined, and that this is due beyond reasonable doubt to the impact of fishing;
2. A few short-lived species (e.g., cephalopods) have shown different trends [from those of longer-lived demersal fishes] but here as well, the impact of fishing is obvious, and overexploitation frequently occurs;
3. The present demersal fish biomass in the countries of the sub-region are well below levels that allow sustained high catches;
4. The demersal fisheries of the sub-region are so low as to render them highly sensitive to environmental effects;
5. The strengthening of sub-regional and international cooperation through the SIAP has established these facts clearly and unambiguously.

1. Overall fishing effort in the sub-region must be strongly reduced, in particular for demersal species, to re-establish high and sustainable catches, and to minimize the risk of environmental impacts;
2. We are aware of the socio-economic implications of such reduction [of fishing effort], but there is no doubt that this is necessary;
3. It is important to strengthen national capacity as well as sub-regional and international collaboration (as done by the SIAP project) in order to fill the scientific gaps that still exist;
4. This goal, and the maintenance and full utilization of the database assembled by the SIAP project require, among other things, that the capabilities of the Sub-regional fisheries Commission be strengthened.

View the Concencus Statement in French