🐟 With support from the FISH4ACP project, the Fisheries Directorate of São Tomé and Príncipe is implementing smartphone technologies to monitor artisanal fisheries!

🐟 Questionnaires to collect fisheries data have been developed using the free platform KoboToolbox.

🐟 During the past week, 14 data collectors from different landing sites have been trained on fisheries data collection using tablets.

🐟 Data collectors had the opportunity to test the new tool and provide feedback, so we could improve questionnaire flow and interface.

🐟 During the coming weeks, data collectors will receive continuous support from supervisors of the Fisheries Directorate to facilitate the transition to the new tool.

FISH4ACP is a partnership between FAO, European Union, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)

🐠 New paper!!
Our BRUVS study in São Tomé and Príncipe has just been published! This study is the first BRUVS survey in this data-poor archipelago, with 400+ deployments in two years!

Open access paper available at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312849
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Summary of key findings ⬇️
🐠 WHERE?
São Tomé and Príncipe is a small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea and it is considered one of the most fisheries-dependent countries in the world!

🐠 WHY IS THIS STUDY IMPORTANT?
The lack of ecological data on marine fish communities in the archipelago hinders the design of effective management measures.

🐠 WE AIMED TO:
(1) Characterise fish species composition in São Tomé and Príncipe, and
(2) Understand the effect of environmental variables relevant for marine planning on fish communities.

🐠 HOW?
We deployed 400+ benthic Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) a low-cost, non-invasive monitoring technique.

🐠 WE FOUND:
(1) All environmental variables contributed to overall species richness (highlighting the need of protecting habitat mosaics);
(2) However, rocky reefs and maerl were particularly important for management, having higher abundance of species important for artisanal fisheries.
(3) Additionally, we observed potential effects of fishing impacts in São Tomé, with a much lower abundance of species targeted by artisanal fisheries.

🐠 This study was a collaborative effort between national and international organisations, aiming to establish a network of MPAs in the country. Learn more about it in https://rede-ampstp.com !