Title: Blue Economy: Potential of Sustainable Fisheries Growth in Cape Verde Economy.

Estimated fish stocks in Cape Verde range from 35,000 to 43,000 tonnes, and fresh fish is the main animal protein consumed by Cape Verdeans. The purpose of this study is to analyse the biological and economic sustainability of the fisheries sector in Cape Verde. Applying the Gordon Schaefer model to the data of fishing effort and harvest in the period between 1993 and 2021, the reference points of equilibrium, Effort at Maximum Sustainable Yield (E_MSY), Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Effort at Maximum Economic Yield (E_MEY), Maximum Economic Yield (MEY), Effort at Open Access Equilibrium (E_BE), and Open Access Equilibrium (BEY), are analysed. The Input-Output model is used to compute the output and employment multiplier of the fisheries sector, assuming that the fisheries are in the maximum economic yield. The results point out that at the current situation, in 2021, the level of effort and harvest is higher than the level that guarantees the maximum sustainable yield, so it is necessary to reduce the fishing effort by 17 percent, and the harvest by 9 percent, to ensure sustainable growth at the biological level of the fisheries in Cape Verde. The results of the Input-Output model indicate that the output multiplier for the fishing sector is 1.743 and the employment multiplier is 1.265. Considering the hypothesis in analysis, the results suggest that, if the objective of policy makers is to increase the output multiplier effect, they should seek to increase the number of industrial vessels, but if they want a higher employment multiplier, promoting the artisanal vessels is the best solution.