VZCZCXRO8657
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #1871 2481327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051327Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5226
INFO RUEHPC/AMEMBASSY LOME 2120
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ACCRA 001871 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CM SENV OTRA AF OES GH
SUBJECT: TOGO: REO VISISTS MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, DEPARTMENT OF 
FISHERIES OFFICALS, PEACE CORPS NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGER. 
 
¶1. (U) The REO met with Fisheries department officials, the 
Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and the Natural 
 
SIPDIS 
Resources program manager for the Peace Corps.  The REO visited the 
artisanal fishing vessel basin and a fish smoking facility. 
 
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Fisheries 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU) The fisheries officials are aware of the needed elements of 
a comprehensive fisheries management program.  The unstable 
political situation, current GoT priorities, and much needed 
financial support challenge even the most skilled fisheries 
management and scientific officials.  Officials mention the need for 
research and a baseline survey/assessment of fish stocks as the 
single most important part of TogoQs fisheries management program. 
Fisheries officials report an annual fish catch of about 200,000 
tons (artisanal, commercial and aquaculture) and they report that 
about 60% of the recorded catch is transformed into smoked fish/fish 
product for consumption. 
All of the commercial fishing vessels operating out of Lome (number 
not known) are foreign flagged, fishing under license to the GoT. 
Officials estimate there are 400 to 600 artisanal fishing vessels 
operating out of Lome.  Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) 
fishing was reported as a concern and enforcement against IUU 
fishing is a challenge since the naval fleet is comprised of two 
outdated patrol vessels.  To further compound the situation, limited 
resources of the military and the navy make them susceptible to 
coercion and make enforcement difficult. 
 
Recommendation:  Fisheries issues could be used for gains in other 
areas of concern; human rights, health and economic growth. 
Particular focus could be given to womenQs efforts and pivotal role 
in the sector and raised awareness via public diplomacy 
initiatives. 
 
--------------------------- 
Environment 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) Officials are hopeful to re-engage stalled environmental 
action plans to improve basic oversight and services across the 
sector (potable water, sanitation, solid waste, air quality. Post 
could initiate an awareness effort for environmental education aimed 
at primary school children. 
 
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Natural resources- Forestry 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) A small scale, community-co-managed cross border 
agro-forestry project may be possible at the Togo/Ghana border. 
GhanaQs forestry sector is advanced by all comparisons and the 
import of sector expertise is one avenue to promote regional 
cooperation and economic growth. The REO will explore the concept of 
a cross border initiative with contacts in Togo and Ghana. 
 
¶5. (U) This reporting cable has been cleared by Embassy Lome. 
 
PERGL