Luanda: A scientific book entitled 'Most Common Marine Species on the Angolan Coast', co-authored by the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperan§a da Costa, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, was launched on Friday in Luanda. With 214 pages, divided into seven chapters, the work, written in Portuguese and English, brings together the portrait of 106 documented species, in a relevant contribution to marine science and conservation in Angola.
According to Angola Press News Agency, speaking at the release ceremony, which was attended by Esperan§a da Costa, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento Neto, informed that the book has a print run of two thousand copies, with free distribution to Angolan universities for academic and research purposes. The publication has a preface by the President of the Republic, Joo Louren§o, and constitutes a milestone for strengthening national scientific knowledge.
The book is the result of work developed by the National Institute for Fisheries and Marine Research (INIPM), in partnership with the National Directorate for Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy (DNAMEA), national universities, and the Benguela Current Convention (BCC). According to Carmen do Sacramento Neto, the book identifies and characterizes 106 marine species, including pelagic and demersal fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and endangered species, establishing a scientific baseline on the biodiversity of the Angolan coast, influenced by the BCC.
The governor also highlighted the contribution of Esperan§a da Costa, who, at the time the work was being developed, served as Secretary of State for Fisheries and participated as a co-author, which gives the publication scientific and institutional relevance. Among the species documented, the book pays special attention to threatened species found on the Angolan coast, with particular emphasis on the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), three species of sea turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, and Lepidochelys olivacea), several species of sharks and rays, as well as seabirds, such as the Cape gannet and Damara tern.
Species of commercial value, including white mackerel, sardinella, tuna, hake, grouper, and king prawn, are also included in the book, which presents data considered essential for the sustainable management of fisheries in Angola.
