CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BENGUELA ECOLOGY PROGRAMME TO PELAGIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

摘要: In 1982, the Benguela Ecology Programme (BEP) created a formal, multi-institutional research partnership in South Africa. During next two decades, BEP directed many aspects of pelagic ecosystem southern upwelling region, aiming to improve fisheries management, particularly that anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus . Although much reduced scale, is now its fifth phase. Its early critics believed money invested ecosystem-type had not benefited whereas supporters maintain current management are founded on legacy. Ecosystem underpinned design hydroacoustic surveys, and resulted development expert system models aimed at predicting recruitment strength anchovy. Current efforts develop an approach fishery Africa draw knowledge understanding generated by more than 20 years research. However, despite this strong foundation, there still uncertainty about causes interannual variability fish recruitment. It suggested time span too short, monitoring should persist for decades reap their full rewards. The enabled productive partnerships be established between academic State researchers managers, improved linkages communication fishing industry. Afr. J. mar. Sci. 26: 37–51