Professor Alkhaly Doumbouya: “biological rest brings our seas back to life”

Faced with the worrying decline in fishery resources, Guinea has established a biological rest period running from July 1 to August 31 each year. A strategy based on scientific research, aimed at preserving fish reproduction and guaranteeing food security for the population.

At the global level, 60% of fish stocks are victims of unsustainable overfishing for their recovery and only 10% are collected in such a way as to ensure the renewal of species warnsthe UN.

Biological rest is a measure to protect fishery resources. This is a period during which fishing is prohibited in certain areas in order to allow the fish stock to reproduce, rest and rebuild. This involves stopping all fishing activity, especially in specific areas such as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

A measure supported by scientists

Faced with the progressive depletion of fishing resources along the Guinean coast, artisanal fishing stakeholders are turning to sustainable solutions. Aware of the importance of preserving marine biodiversity for future generations, they are now experiencing biological rest.

“After several years, we noticed a sharp decline in fishery resources in Guinea. The abundance of fish began to decline, unlike previous periods. We then decided, too, to set up biological rest at home,” said Professor Alkhaly Doumbouya, researcher, head of the coastal management department at the national center of fisheries sciences in Boussoura.

“We are doing research to evaluate the biomass and determine the level of fish that can be captured, so that the resource is renewed and does not disappear,” he said.

Applicability in the sub-region and elsewhere

Biological rest already exists in other countries, but in Guinea, the diversity of fish makes this measure even more important. It is beneficial for the population, for artisanal fishing and especially for the future of national fishing. “In countries like Morocco, Mauritania and northern Senegal, biological rest mainly applies to mono-specific resources. In Guinea, our resources are multi-specific. Once at sea, we find several types of fish in the same area,” explained Professor Doumbouya.

The importance of biodiversity for artisanal fishing

In Guinea, artisanal fishing remains the mainstay of the fish supply. A reality that players in the sector proudly recall, aware of their vital role in the country's food security. “We are part of artisanal fishing. We know that 80% of fish consumption in Guinea comes from artisanal fishing. At the landing level, it is fresh fish, and not frozen, that is sold there. said Abdoulaye Camara, vice-president of the fishery protection committee at the fishing port of Boulbinet.

“We serve the population day and night. We collaborate with the State, in particular with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Economy. The minister encourages us to bring artisanal fishermen closer to the administration and to continue serving the population,” added Abdoulaye Camara.

According to Professor Doumbouya, artisanal fishing is less destructive because it uses selective nets, unlike industrial trawlers which collect everything, including juveniles.
“This is why artisanal fishing is sometimes authorized during this period, unlike industrial fishing,” he clarified.

Visible and encouraging results

Since 2019, biological rest has produced positive effects on the sea. “Two years after its implementation, fishermen noticed the return of certain species that they had not seen for a long time”, underlined Professor Doumbouya.

These campaigns also make it possible to measure the condition of the fish before and after biological rest. “The first campaign takes place between April, May and June, to assess the abundance of species in the EEZ. The second campaign takes place between September and November, to evaluate the results after the biological rest » according to Professor Doumbouya.

Research confirms that biological rest produces good results. “The comparisons show an increase in biomass, growth of juveniles and a better size of the species captured,” concludes Professor Doumbouya.

Biological rest is therefore an essential measure to ensure the sustainability of fishery resources in Guinea. It not only protects fish reproduction, but also improves fishing conditions for artisans and guarantees food security for populations.

Kadiza Sow