Title: Sampling strategy and management recommendations for Spanish mackerel and other important fish stocks in Djibouti

Insufficient information can lead fisheries managers to make decisions without solid support of data or completeness of scientific understanding. This project investigated current data from the fisheries in Djibouti. Data from the Marine Biology Laboratory were analysed. Using length data collected since 2014, distribution of the size frequency for Spanish mackerel and other important fish species in Djibouti was established. Due to insufficiency of data, an estimation of Von Bertalanffy growth parameters was not possible. The length-weight relationship indicated a nonconformity of results with theoretical values and results drawn from the literature. The analysis of data from the fisheries department showed a high increase of landings per unit effort during the summer in Djibouti (March to September). A significant number of outputs from the fishing boats were also observed over the same period. The analysis of data recorded since 2011 by the Marine Biology Laboratory indicated a correlation between the distribution of catch and the chlorophyll a concentration from the satellite observations in the exclusive economic zone of Djibouti. A high number of biases were observed in the data from fishery in Djibouti, indicating that the data collection system in Djibouti requires revision. A sampling strategy was developed to contribute to the improved data collection system already in effect.