On January 27 and 28, 2026, a technical workshop dedicated to the conservation and fishing of rays and sharks was held in Bissau, at the premises of the National Institute for Fisheries and Oceanographic Research (INIPO). The initiative, led by INIPO and the Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), was organized in partnership with the Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation in West Africa (PRCM), with financial support from the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF).
Over two days, researchers, public authorities, professional organizations, and field practitioners exchanged views on the challenges related to the sustainable management of rays and sharks, species that are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation.
The first day was devoted to an assessment of the current situation. This assessment was based, on the one hand, on testimonies from representatives of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy (MPEM), IBAP, fishermen’s associations, and women processors and traders. On the other hand, the results of surveys conducted by INIPO over the past 18 months, with scientific support from Wageningen University, provided accurate data on catches from artisanal fisheries.
The second day focused on the presentation of proposed measures aimed at strengthening the protection of these species. Developed by the project team, these recommendations were discussed and reviewed by participants in a spirit of consultation.
The contributions collected during the workshop will be analyzed and synthesized, together with concrete proposals. This document will then be submitted to the competent authorities of the MPEM, with a view to guiding future conservation policies and the sustainable management of fisheries resources in Guinea-Bissau.
