3. FISHING GEAR

3.1 LIST OF FISHING GEAR

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF FISHING GEAR

3.2.1 Castnets

Castnets are conical in shape, with or without inverted pockets around the lip of the net. These nets are thrown from the shore, the water or a canoe to catch the fish swimming close to or on the surface by falling on them and closing when the throwing line is pulled taut. Their use is restricted to shallow waters. Two distinct types of castnet are used in Ghanaian waters, one with pockets and the other without pockets.

Castnet with pockets, faan-yaa (Figure 9)

This is a castnet with pockets, the name literally means river or lagoon net. It is about 4–5 m high and 25–30 m in circumference at the base. The mesh sizes range between 25–45 mm and the yarn sizes R 75–100tex. It is usually operated in lagoons, the fishermen standing on the bank, in water or on a canoe crewed by one or two fishermen. The catch consists of tilapia, mullet (Mugil spp.) and small bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata). Every fisherman owns at least one castnet.

Castnet without pocket, dzenge (Figure 10)

This is a castnet without a pouch. It is about 5.5–6.5 m high and 30–50 m in circumference at the base. The mesh size is about 60–65 mm and the yarn size R 100–155 tex. It is operated from a canoe in inshore shallow waters by 3–4 fishermen, mainly around the Nungua and Labadi area. It catches bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata).

3.2.2 Gillnets and entangling nets

These are nets that catch fish by gilling, entangling or enmeshing them in the neeting. They are divided into three main groups: set or anchored gillnets, driftnets and encircling gillnets.

3.2.2.1 Set gillnets

These are very shallow nets which are fixed to the bottom or at a certain distance above by means of anchors or weights. Nets in this group are mostly used by the artisanal fishermen in Ghana.

Set gillnet, toga (Figure 11)

This is a traditional net that is found in every fishing village in Ghana except in the Volta Region. Each net is about 230–350 m long and 2 m deep. The mesh size is about 50 mm and the yarn size R 75–100 tex. They are operated all year round and are set at dawn on smooth bottom 10–20 m deep. They are hauled again after two or two and a half hours. The crew is 2–3 fishermen, each having two nets, which are set separately. Usually only one set is made at a time and the fishermen return to shore to clear the catch from the nets. The boats used are mostly paddle driven canoes. The catch is composed of small inshore fishes like: threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus), grunts (Pomadasys spp. = Roncardor and Burro), clupeoids (Ilisha africana) and flagfin mooarra (Ecinostomus melanopterus).

Set gillnet, ashoo (Figure 12)

This is a toga-like net and its rigging the same except that the mesh size is smaller (30–40 mm). It is operated in about the same conditions as the toga. It catches smaller fish like the juvenile of threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus), big eye grunter (Brachydeuterus auritus) and mojamas (Gerres).

Set gillnet, tengirafo (Figure 13)

This net is about 180–270 m long and 2–3 m deep. The mesh size is 75 mm and the yarn size R 310–390 tex. Sail and paddle canoes are used for the operation. The crew is usually four men, each having two nets, which are joined together to form a fleet; they are operated in 30–50 m depth of water on hard bottom from October to March. Usually the nets are kept in the water for seven days before being brought to shore for cleaning and mending. They are regularly hauled for removal of fish and reset every morning. The common species caught are catfish (Arius spp.), pagno bream (Sparus pagrus africanus), croakers (Pseudotolithus spp.), tongue sole (Cynoglossus spp.), dogfish (Mustelus spp.) and molluscs.

Set gillnet, solu-yaa (Figure 14)

This is about 180–270 m long and 1 m deep. The mesh size is 60 mm and the yarn size R 310 tex. This net is operated in shallow water of about 10–15 m, mainly in the Accra area. The main species caught is sole (Cynoglossus spp.) but it also takes sea bream (Pagellus coupei), pagro bream (Pagrus ehrenbergi) and molluscs.

Set gillnet, ngaa-yaa, lobster net (Figure 15)

This is a recent innovation from the solu-yaa net. Each net is about 180 m long and 1.2–1.5 m deep. The mesh size varies from 60 to 120 mm and the yarn size is about R 310–390 tex. Three or four men compose the crew, each having two nets, which, joined together, are set separately from the others. They are operated on hard, rocky bottom within a depth of 10–50 m off Nungo-Prampan, Senya, Beraku and Winneba during the months of November-March. Sail and outboard driven canoes are used for the fishing operation. The nets are set in the evening and retrieved in the morning. They are brought to shore every week, usually on Monday, for cleaning and mending. The main species sought is lobster (Panulirius regius) but fish such as sharks (Scoliodon terraenovae), rays (Raja spp.) and some molluscs are caught.

Set gillnet, tsile-yaa (Figure 16)

This is a more recent innovation originating from the lobster net and introduced by the Research Branch of the Fisheries Department. Each net is about 50 m long and 3–3.5 m deep. The mesh size is about 150–165 mm and the yarn size R 470–540 tex. Six to eight nets joined together form a fleet that is operated in depths of 40–80 m with hard and rocky bottom during the months of July-October. The nets are set in the evening and hauled the following morning. The main fish caught are bigger sizes of canary dentex (Dentex canariensis) but catches of snappers (Lutjanus spp.), croakers, meagres (Sciaenidae), jacks (Caranx spp.) and amber jacks (Seriola carpenteri, S. dumerili) are also taken.

3.2.2.2 Driftnets

These nets are operated on the surface or at a certain distance below it. They drift freely with the current, often with the craft to which they are attached. There are three distinct net types in this group for the Ghanaian artisanal fisheries, namely the ali net, the flikilo-yaa and the anifa anifa.

Driftnet, ali net

The ali net is a very important fishing gear in the greater Accra and central region. A historical account has been given by Brown in Irvine's “Fishes and Fisheries of the Gold Coast” (1947). According to his account, two brothers, Male Akron and Nmai, from Teshie near Accra, introduced the ali net to the canoe fishery from Nigeria. It was the introduction of the ali net which contributed most in raising the level of fishing in Ghana. There are two types of ali net, the obue ali and the man ali.

Driftnet, obue ali (Figure 17)

This net size varies between 450–650 m in length and 30–50 m in depth. The mesh size is about 45 mm and the yarn size R 75–100 tex. It is operated mainly during the night at between 25 and 50 m depth. The net is set anytime after sunset and hauled and set several times during the night. It is operated by 10–12 fishermen with an outboard driven canoe. The main species caught is round sardine (Sardinella aurita).

Driftnet, man ali (Figure 18)

This is similar to the above, except that it has a larger mesh of 50 mm and it is fished during nights in the period June-September. It is also sometimes used as an encircling gillnet for catching short sardine (Sardinella maderensis).

Sometimes netting of two mesh sizes is combined to make one net for catching both species (Figure 19).

Driftnet, flikilo-yaa (Figure 20)

This is a very popular net among the fishermen of Mungo and Kpone in the Greater Accra Region and Senya Beraku, Nakwa and Otnam in the Central Region. Its length varies from 180 to 270 m and the depth is about 2.5 m. The most common mesh size is 50 mm and the yarn size R 100 tex. It is operated in about 20–50 m depth of water from October until March, employing sail or outboard driven canoes manned by 4–6 fishermen. Usually, each fisherman owns two nets which are joined together to form a fleet. A round trip for fishing may last from 12 to 18 hours during which the nets may be hauled and set several times before returning to shore. The catch is mainly composed of African halfbeak (Hyporhamphus spp.), flat needlefish (Ablennes hians), Atlantic flying fish (Cypselurus melanurus) and also sardinella and scomber.

Anifa-anifa (Figure 21a-b)

This is an offshore large mesh driftnet measuring 100–450 m long and 15–20 m deep. The mesh size varies from 100 to 200 mm. The yarn size is R 390 or 620 tex. Fishing is carried out at night and a round trip takes about 16–20 hours. It is a year-round operation with a peak season in August and September. It is carried out with outboard driven canoes manned by 4–6 fishermen. It is a common net at Kpone, Pram, Ningo, Shama, Dixcoue and Axim. The catch is large pelagic species, such as shark (Carcharhinus spp.), ray manta (Mobula and Myliobatis spp.), tunas (Thunnus albacares and obesus), sailfishes (Istiophorus albicans), swordfishes (Xiphias gladius), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and little tuna (Euthynnus alletteratus).

3.2.2.3 Encircling gillnets

This gear is generally used in shallow water with the floatline at the surface. After a school of fish has been encircled by the nets, various means are used to frighten the fish and drive them into the netting.

Aborketea/kolole-yaa (Figure 22)

This net is about 540 m long and 14–16 m deep. The mesh size is 60–64 m and the yarn size R 100 tex. The fishing operation is carried out with two outboard motor powered canoes, each manned by 8–10 fishermen. Each canoe shoots a net from the opposite side of a fish school and turns a half circle to pick up the head buoy of the other net, thus forming a ring around the fish. The fish are then frightened by thrown objects or by men swimming in the enclosed water and are gilled or entangled in the netting. There are two fishing seasons: November-December and March-April. This method is used at Nunga and Accra for catching bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata).

3.2.3 Seine nets

These are surrounding nets which are usually set from a boat. They are used to surround schools of fish sighted near the shore, or to sweep an area of the seabed. Those operated from the shore are called beach seines.

3.2.3.1 Beach seines

These are normally operated from the seashore or the banks of the lagoons and lakes. There are two types of beach seine in Ghana, one with bunt and the other without bunt.

Beach seine with bunt

This is the most common beach seine operated along the seashores of the Ghanaian coast. It has a pair of long wings, shoulders and a central bunt. A beach seine may be classified as small, medium or large. Small nets measure about 150 m long and 6 m deep (Figure 23). Medium size nets may be 280 m long and 19 m deep (Figure 24). Large nets found in the Keta area are up to 1 800 m long and 18–22 m deep (Figure 25a). The nets in the Keta area have detachable sections, so that a net may be operated at a reduced length (Figure 25b). Each net has a pair of drag ropes of about 100 m length. Beach seines are only used in daytime. A crew of about 80 men is required for the large beach seine operation. Paddle and outboard motor driven canoes are used for setting the nets. The setting and hauling operations of a large net may take as much as 10–12 hours, while a medium size net as used at Kpone can be set and hauled in 3–4 hours. The beach seine used to be the main gear for the Caranx hyppos fishery in the Volta Region. At present they catch various small species like grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus), west African ilisha (Ilisha africana), threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus), European anchovy (Engraulis enicrasicolus), yellow tail sardine (Sardinella rouxi) and scad (Decapterus ronchus and D. punctatus).

Beach seine without bag (Figure 26)

This is not so common in Ghana. It is operated only in the lagoons of Wata and Sangaa. The size of the net is about 50–100 m long and 1.5–2 m deep. It is mainly used to catch fresh water tilapia bream (Tilapia spp.).

3.2.3.2 Purse seines

Purse seines are characterized by the use of a purse line at the bottom of the net which enables the net to be closed like a purse and thus retain most of the fish surrounded. There are three kinds of nets under this group in the Ghanaian artisanal fishery.

Purse seine, watsa (Figure 27)

This net was originally a surrounding net without rings or purse line. It was then constructed with only 50–60 mm mesh netting for catching pelagic fishes like little tunny (Euthynnus alleteratus) and other species. With the adoption of small mesh netting and the use of rings and purse line, this net has lost its original characteristic and is now used as a purse seine to catch greater varieties of small pelagic species, like Sardinella spp., European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus spp.), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), etc. The size of the net varies; it is about 400–500 m long and 35–50 m deep. It is operated in up to 40m depth of water by a crew of 8–12 men, with an outboard motor driven canoe. Its operation is the speciality of the fishermen of Ada, Nungo and Kpone.

Purse seine, poli/sieve (Figure 28)

This purse seine is called sieve because of the fineness of the mesh. This net is about 450–540 m long and 35–45 m deep. It is constructed of small meshes, mainly 13 mm and fine yarn R 75–100 tex. It is operated within 30 m depth by a crew of 12–15 men using an outboard motor driven canoe. Purse seining with this net is a year-round fishing operation, October-December being the peak season. It is extensively used in Tema, Faana and the Accra area, chiefly for European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and along the whole stretch of the Central Region for juvenile Sardinella spp. and small fish like grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus).

Purse seine, achiki na oye (Figure 29)

The dimensions of this purse seine are the same as the man ali net. It is constructed with 25–30 mm netting for the main body and 12 mm for the bunt. It is operated in the same water depth as the man ali. This net was originally made of 38–40 mm mesh netting and used as an encircling gillnet for small sardinella. This purse seine can catch smaller fishes like the juvenile Sardinella spp., grunt (Brachydeuterus), Chloroscombrus and African lookdown (Selene dorsalis). It is currently in use at Teshie and Nungaa in the Accra area and Senya Beraku, Winneba, Kormantine, Elmina and Komenda in the Central Region.

3.2.4 Hooks and lines

Fish are attracted by natural or artificial bait placed on hooks fixed to lines or snoods. Hook and line units may be used singly or in large numbers. Line fishing is a traditional way of catching fish in Ghana.

3.2.4.1 Handlining

This is the use of hooks from a hand-held line. There are inshore and offshore handlining operations.

Inshore operations are mostly for bottom fishing. The fishing ground lies between 10–200 m depth contours. Paddle, sail and outboard motor driven canoes are used for handlining. The crew is usually 5–6 men, each having at least 2 sets of handlines. The best handline fishermen are from Ningo, Pram-Pram, Tema and Osu. Except for the fishermen from Tema and Osu, they are migrant and can be found in many West African countries like Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Congo. The main species sought are Epinephelus spp., Dentex spp., Lutjanidae spp. and Caranx spp.

Handline gear

For catching pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) and seabreams (Sparus spp.) in about 40–85 m depth of water with high rock formation from July-October, handlines with multiple snoods and 7–9 hooks of No. 6.9 (Figure 30) are used. The common bait is sardine, anchovy and bogue.

For catching white groupers (Epinephelus aeneus) and gorean snappers (Lutjanus goreensis) in the same depth of water 40–90 m, the gear used is a line with multiple hooks (4) of No. 4–5 (Figure 31).

To catch dusky groupers (Epinephelus gigas) found in about 180–220 m depth of water, lines with 6 hooks No. 2–3 are used (Figure 32).

For blue spotted seabream (Sparus caeruleostictus) and golden African snapper (Lutjanus fulgens) on rocky seabed between 10–70 m depth of water all year round, lines with 12–14 hooks No. 12–15 are mainly used (Figure 33).

For Southern common seabream (Sparus pagrus pagrus), found in about 70–90 m depth of water, multiple 40 hook No. 10–11 lines are used (Figure 34).

To catch Angola dentex (Dentex angolensis), found in deep water of about 200–220 m, multiple 40 hook No. 14–15 lines are commonly used (Figure 35).

For chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), found in a very wide range of water from 20 to 125 m depth the year round, with a peak season during July-September, multiple 50–60 hook No. 14–15 lines are used (Figure 36).

For false shad (Decapterus rhonchus) between 20–50 m depth, multiple 30–40 hook No. 14–15 lines are used (Figure 37).

For red pandora (Pagellus bellottii), found between 20–50 m, multiple 30–40 hook No. 16–17 lines are used (Figure 38).

For congo dentex (Dentex congoensis), found in deep water of 100–125 m all year round, the multiple 40–50 hook No. 17–18 lines are used (Figure 39).

In offshore operations, to catch large pelagic fish, such as yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) and sharks (Carcharhinus spp.), single hook No. 1–2–3 line is operated offshore to a depth of 50 m. Introduction of anifa-anifa driftnets has somewhat displaced this offshore handlining (Figure 40).

3.2.4.2 Trolling lines

These are simple lines provided with natural or artificial bait and trailed near the surface or at a certain depth from a boat.

In Ghana this gear is a single line and hook with an artificial bait (lure), usually made of white nylon multifilament (Figure 41). It is operated by handline fishermen on their way to and from the fishing grounds. It catches surface fish like Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus tritor), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), tuna (Thunninae), dolphinfish (Coryphaena spp.), barracuda (Sphyraena spp.) and sailfish (Istiophorus albicans).

3.2.4.3 Set longline

This is an anchored longline which is baited and set on or near the bottom. It consists of a mainline of variable length to which snoods and hooks are fixed at regular intervals.

A set longline is about 380–500 m long, on which approximately 500–600 hooks No. 11–12 are evenly fixed. It is operated in inshore water of 10–30 m depth and to a lesser extent in lagoons (Figure 42). For the operation, paddled canoes with a crew of one or two men are used. Longlining is very commong at Nakwa and the surrounding villages. Some of the fishermen migrate to Accra, Labachi and Tema for a few months to operate longlines. The main species caught are rays (Myliobatis spp.), southern common seabream (Sparus pagrus africanus), threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus), largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and guitarfish (Rhinobatos spp.).

3.2.5 Traps

These are traps indigenously designed to catch crustaceans and fish. They are made in several forms and shapes, with various materials (wood, wicker, metal rods, netting, bamboo and palm leaves). They are usually set on the bottom, with or without bait, in the lagoons and shallow estuaries. In Ghana, women and children use them to catch shrimps (Penaeus duorarum and Parapenaopsis atlantica), crabs (Callinectes latimanus) and fish (Tilapia spp.).

Vee shaped shrimp trap (Figure 43)

This is a special trap used in the Keta estuary. It consists of two walls about 7–10 m long and 1–1.5 m high constructed with mangrove or bamboo scantling and palm branches. The walls are made in a V form with the open end against the flow of water. A net bag with lead sinkers is fixed at the narrow end so that as the water passes through the enclosure, the shrimps and fish are trapped in the bag.

Crab trap (Figure 44)

This trap is used in the Sakuno Lagoons and the Mukwe Lagoon. It is a small trap, woven with the thin sticks from coconut branch leaves. It is about 0.4 m long and 0.3 m wide and 0.20 m high in front. It is wider at the rear, about 0.50 m, but also somewhat flatter. The trap is baited and set at the bottom with two fixed sticks on the sides and crossed above, to keep the trap in position. Many crabs and some fish are caught with this trap.

Crab pot (net) (Figure 45a and b)

This is a popular gear for catching the common lagoon crab (Callinectes latimanus). It consists of a metal ring of about 30–50 cm diameter and some 12–18 mm mesh netting. There are two types, one with rings at the top and base and the other with a ring at the top only. Both types have three bridles to which a short line of about 1 m is fixed, with a small cork at one end. The floating cork shows the position of the trap. The baited pot collapses flat on the bottom when set and is retrieved from the water by pulling the cork line which is done at about 5–10 minute intervals to collect the catch. Bait used is either the gut of a big fish like a shark or fresh cassava chippings.

Fish, crab and shrimp trap (Figure 46)

This is a common gear in all the bigger lagoons, especially in the Keta Lagoon. A barrier is constructed with mangrove and palm branches across the shallow sections of the water. Holes of about 30–50 cm diameter are made in it at the base at about 1–1.5 m intervals. Woven traps are set in the holes against the flow of water and fish and crabs are guided by the barrier into the traps. The traps are removed in the morning to collect the catch and are then reset.

Bottle fishing (Figure 47)

This is done mainly in the small lagoons during the dry season when the water level is very low. It involves the use of an ordinary 1/2 litre beer bottle. A hole about 3–4 cm in diameter is made on the side near the top. A small quantity of fish, cassava chipping or gari, a local food, is put inside. Then a thin stick of about 0.8–1 m long is stuck into the bottle. The bottle is fixed vertically to the sea bed with the end of the stick showing above the water as a marker. When fish go into the bottle to feed, they are trapped. The bottle is retrieved at about 5 minute intervals, to collect the fish, usually a single Tilapia.