FAO in Ghana

Ghana to pursue prudent policies to protect marine fisheries resources

Dr Abebe Haile-Gabriel, speaking at opening session (Photo: @FAO/David Youngs)
09/07/2016

7th July 2016, Accra- The Government of Ghana will continue to pursue prudent policies to safeguard the marine fisheries resources for the enhancement and promotion of economic well-being and livelihoods, said Ghana's Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ms Hanny-Sherry Ayittey, speaking at a seminar in Accra to present the research findings from a survey of fisheries resources in Ghanaian waters conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen. 

She further noted “We would strictly adhere to our laws and regulations whilst monitoring closely fishing activities in our waters to avoid any incidences of illegal, unregulated and un-reporting fishing,” adding fisheries provided a vital source of food, employment and economic well-being for people in the coastal communities and must be managed responsibly.

The Minister lauded the long term objective of the FAO-implemented EAF-Nansen project, which is to strengthen regional and country specific efforts to reduce poverty and create conditions to assist in the achievement of food security through development of sustainable fisheries management regimes. 

Meanwhile, Ms Ayittey informed cabinet had approved the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures aimed to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through the implementation of robust port State measures.

The Agreement envisages that parties, in their capacities as port States, will apply the Agreement in an effective manner to foreign vessels when seeking entry to ports or while they are in port. The agreement, she said, had been placed in Parliament for ratification.

Survey findings

Dr Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and FAO Representative to Ghana, underscored the immense potential of the fisheries resources in Africa to transform significantly the economic growth of the continent and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.

While the continent had made much progress in the last decade in restoring fisheries and aquaculture as national and regional development priorities, challenges such as weak human capacities and systems for information collection and analysis remain a key constraint to a positive transformation of the fisheries sector.

Dr Abebe Haile-Gabriel said the coordinated research initiative through the EAF-Nansen vessel operated directly in partnership with Norad, FAO and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) had effectively supported Sub-Sahara African Countries to update the data and information on their marine fisheries resources and their results are mainly for the use of the government and partner projects. 

“The data and information obtained through the EAF-Nansen surveys provided not only vital information for the sustainable management of the marine fisheries resources, but they also contribute to the definition of strategies and policies for this very important sector towards the achievement of food security”, he said.

Dr Kwame Koranteng, Coordinator of the EAF-Nansen Project, said the project helps to promote North-South and South-South cooperation in scientific research and capacity development, policy formulation indicating that participatory research activities contribute to a better understanding of the situations in the oceans.

The Ghana ecosystem survey was conducted from April 1 to 20 this year and aimed at assessing the stocks of pelagic and demersal fish as well as obtaining vital information on the marine environment. 

Overall, results of the survey showed that the total demersal fish is about the same as in the previous surveys. However, whereas the biomass of some species and species groups has not changed much, others either reduced (e.g. croakers) or increased (e.g. Snappers). 

The Cruise Leader of the survey, Dr Reidar Toresen of IMR, informed the meeting that since the demersal fish resources appear stable the current regulations may be kept but fish catches and landings must be monitored as closely as possible.

The results of the survey also showed that the main pelagic fish in Ghanaian waters (Sardinella) was nearly absent in the area; due mainly to the timing of the survey. On the other hand, Carangids (mackerels) and other pelagic fish have increased.

Dr Toresen called on authorities to take steps to address large amounts of plastic debris observed on the sea surface in areas close to Accra and Tema.

The research is part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s assistance to African member states in the area of fisheries assessment and management through the EAF-Nansen project. It is to provide fisheries researchers and managers the additional knowledge on their ecosystems through the survey on both pelagic and demersal fish resources.