Development and fisheries management: The case of northwest Africa

Abstract

The paper examines the state of fisheries and fisheries management in northwest Africa. Typical problems and constraints faced when attempting to manage a fishery resource are discussed. The particular fishery management problems faced by developing nations in general and with reference to countries in northwest Africa are addressed such as the inability, because of political constraints, to avoid short-term solutions which then place the resource-base at risk. Ironically, the relative effectiveness of other countries' management plans may place the resources of these less-developed countries at greater risk as fishermen weigh the costs of entering various fisheries and choose those with ineffective management. Internationalization of fisheries management presents the only tool that can effectively address these structural problems.