Two fishermen of the Imragen Tribe returning with their catch from cast-net fishing at Nouakchott. - - Development of Artisan Fisheries. FAO, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization is assisting Mauritania in the production, valorisation and distribution of artisan fish products through technical assistance, and establishment of investment programmes, in order to meet population needs for animal protein and improve the social structure of fishermen. FAO is also assisting the development of maritime Artisan Fisheries by helping establish a workshop for the construction and repair of fishing vessels. The FAO projects, co-financed by UNDP and the Mauritanian Government, have facilitated trade in fish products, thus providing new possibilities to the fishing communities of Nouakchott, Blawack and Lemcid. The projects will be continued under FAO's Special Agricultural Rehabilitation Programme for Africa (ARPA), launched in 1985 to assist 25 African countries.