Some environmentalists believe that this approach is largely responsible for the poor state of oceans and the declining fish stocks seen in many parts of the world.

Fishing is a mainstay of the economies in Namibia, Angola and South Africa. It contributes about 4 billion rand (US$583.4 million) annually to the South African economy.

The report, the result of a partnership between the WWF and Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem programme, recommended embracing an approach that balances the overall health of ecosystems and the economic viability of the fishing industry.

It also suggested ways for the industry to reduce unwanted catches of albatross birds and sea turtles.

"Having this plan on the table is a great achievement. However, we now need to move from planning to implementation," Deon Nel, manager of the WWF Sanlam Living Waters Partnership, said in a statement.

Nel said implementing the proposals could mean changing fishing regulations, creating new governance structures to enhance participatory decision-making or conducting new research on marine ecosystems.

He said it was important to review progress as the world strives to clean up oceans and better sustain ecosystems by 2012, a key goal of the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.