The client: COMHAFAT
COMHAFAT is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together 22 African coastal States bordering the Atlantic. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation and harmonise fisheries policies among its members. Sustainable management of marine resources is a critical issue in this biodiversity-rich region, which faces significant pressures (overfishing, IUU fishing).
The project : an expertise collaboration
The project was carried out with the support of a consortium of experts: Eric Mostert (President of SKREO Consulting), Bertrand Cazalet (Managing Director of MAREPOLIS – Marine Policy Consulting) and Stefano Piredda (Manager of NAES Consulting). Together, they designed and implemented a rigorous methodology to compile, analyse and harmonise the legislative and regulatory frameworks of COMHAFAT member States, resulting in an interactive compendium (PDF and Excel) and a demonstration web application.
The challenge: fragmented regulations hindering cooperation
The absence of a common legal framework made fisheries management complex, hampered efforts to combat IUU fishing, and discouraged investment due to inconsistent regulatory requirements.
The aim was to compile and harmonise national fisheries laws and regulations to facilitate access, consultation, and the gradual adoption of common standards.
Naes’ solution: an interactive compendium and demo application
In collaboration with a consortium of experts, Naes designed a rigorous methodology combining documentary research, interviews with national stakeholders, and validation of the collected data.
Key deliverables included:
- A structured compendium of national fisheries regulations, delivered in interactive PDF and Excel formats, with search and filter functions by country and theme.
- Integration of references to relevant international and regional legal instruments.
- A demonstration web application (Drupal-based) showing how the legal texts could be consulted and updated dynamically.
Follow-up: permanent updates and broad dissemination
COMHAFAT has established an annual update process in partnership with the member States’ focal points.
A communication plan was developed to promote the compendium to governments, regional and international bodies, civil society, and the private sector.
This initiative equips the region with a strategic tool for fisheries governance and the progressive harmonisation of legal frameworks.
