The principal characteristics of the national fisheries were recalled as well as recent trends.
3.1.1 Artisanal fishery
General characteristics: spread over the entire length of the 550 km of coastline, the Ivorian marine artisanal fishery is conducted separately in five areas which correspond fairly closely to sectors of the industrial fishery (Figure 1). It is essentially carried out by foreigners, notably Ghanaians who have a long tradition of fishing. Three types of small-mesh nets are actively used; these are:
the purse-seine concentrated in Abidjan and in the west of the country, and which is very efficient gear;
the beach-seines, the majority of which are deployed on the Alladjan shore (immediate west of Abidjan);
the surface set-net
Whether small, medium or large, the canoe used is of the Ghanaian type. The outboard motor has replaced the paddle on large and medium-sized canoes. The landing points (about 50) are scattered along the coast and are for the most part not sampled.
Recent trends: after the good years 1985–87, the artisanal fishery went through a difficult period. Not only was the price of fuel prohibitive, the cost of living rose and hence the high cost of fishing inputs, but the bulk of resources seemed less available in 1988 and 1989. Sardinella became rare according to records taken at Vridi (the principal fishing centre); 60% of fishing trips were disappointing. It is worth noting the frequent appearance of the globefish (Lagocephalus laevigatus) which sometimes damaged the fishing nets. Finally, fishing of the round sardinella (S. aurita) increased in the west as far as the traditional fishing grounds of the flat sardinella (S. maderensis).
Evolution of the fleet: the fleet remained stable these last years in spite of the prolonged inactivity of certain canoes and the temporary migration of the fishermen. Economic difficulties have hindered continued growth of the number of fishing units which began in 1982.
Effort: the decline of catches in 1988 and 1989 was due essentially to the non-availability of the resource close to the shore. The cost of fuel did not permit fishing in offshore areas or in distant waters. For 1990, the rising trend is illustrated: the fishing effort slightly increased if one refers to the data for three centres where the sampling of effort was carried out.
| Locality | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gd. Bereby | 4154 | 5389 | 6108 |
| Sassandra | 3108 | ||
| Vridi | (2984)* | 4526 |
Annual effort in number of trips
* effort for the last 6 months
3.1.2 Industrial Fisheries
Fleet: the numbers of the sardinella fishing boats remained stable; between 16 and 20 being operational depending on the period. The departures, breakdowns and wrecking of boats were always compensated by new arrivals, and additional fishing licences were granted. There are very few recent boats, and new entrants were generally old vessels bought in other countries (mainly from Europe). In spite of their age, these boats were in good condition because of good maintenance.
Management of the fleet: in spite of the very high price of fuel compared to international prices and which affect the activities of the fleet, the companies are economically sound, thanks to rigorous management (Chaboud and Deme, 1991). Certain periods less abundant in fish, e.g., the first half of 1988, were harshly felt by the companies. On the contrary, during periods of abundance, the companies consulted each other to limit supply in order to avoid low prices. It is also to be noted that landings of small-sized fishes, notably sardinellas and mackerels are not permitted at the Abidjan port.
Fishing zones: the purse-seiners exploited only Ivorian waters since the beginning of the 1980s. It is to be note that the west of the country has become a favourable area not only for the sardinella fishery, but also for all related species (Pezennec et al, in press).
Species caught: the purse seiners landed the two species of sardinellas and also non-negligible and increasing quantities of semi-pelagics, notably the grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus). Also noted is the re-appearance of mackerel during these last years and the complete absence of anchovies in the landings of Ivorian purse-seiners.
Evolution of efforts, catches and yields: after the exceptionally good years of 1985–1986–1987, marked by abundant landings and the CPUE of S. aurita never fully reached, the years 1988–90 constituted a return to the situation of the early 1980s. The mean effort having increased, the yields were weakened during these years. However, it is noted that, with the re-appearance of mackerel and the significant landings of related species, high catches of mixed species have been attained, of the same order of magnitude as those attained during 1985–87.
3.2.1 Description of the Ghanaian fishing fleets
The Ghanaian fishing industry consists of four sectors; namely, the artisanal, semi-industrial, industrial and tuna. With the exception of the tuna fleet, vessels of the other three sectors exploit small pelagic species in Ghanaian waters.
The artisanal fleet is made up of dug-out canoes, some of which are powered by outboard motors. The engine power of the outboards used by canoes is between 25 and 40 HP. The canoes operate seven main different gears: the ali, poli, watsa, beach-seine, set-nets, drift gill-nets and lines.
The semi-industrial fleet is made up of mainly locally-built boats with wooden hulls. The engine power of these boats is between 90 and 400 HP. There are also a few semi-industrial vessels with steel hull. These are imported and have 350–600 HP engines. Semi-industrial vessels are classified into two categories based on their LOA: those of 12 m and below and those between 12 and 37 m. The sector operates two main gears: purse-seine and trawl.
The industrial fleet is composed of vessels of length 30 m and above, with steel hulls and engine power above 600 HP. These vessels, all trawlers, were initially procured to fish in more productive foreign waters. Since many countries claimed 200 miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), these vessels have been redeployed to fish in Ghanaian waters.
Detailed descriptions of the fleets have already been documented in the reports of previous working groups. Here an attempt is made to document the changes that have taken place in the industry since the last working group.
3.2.2 Recent changes in the fishing fleets and the fishery
A. Artisanal Fleet:
The number of canoes has decreased from 8 214 in 1986 to 8 052 in 1989; about 2%. The level of motorization within the sector has increased from 51.7% in 1986 to 57.2% in 1989, the number of outboard motors used by the fleet increasing from 4 250 in 1986 to 4 631 in 1989.
Pelagic species are exploited mainly by the ali, poli, watsa and beach-seine gears. The total number of ali, poli, and watsa canoes decreased from 3 969 in 1986 to 3 684 in 1989, about 7%. However, the number of beach-seine nets increased from 779 in 1986 to 852 in 1989; about 6%.
The activities of “Seiko” or “Taxi” canoes are now on the increase. These are craft that go to sea only to buy fish from semi-industrial and industrial vessels.
Total catches of the artisanal fleet account for about 70% of marine fish taken in Ghanaian waters. Total catches of canoes increased sharply from 1986 to 1987 (190 000–261 000 t), followed by a gradual decrease from 1987 to 1989 (261 000– 220, 000 t). However, the CPUE of the canoes showed an increase from 1986 to 1987 (0.20–0.30 t/trip) and it was then stable from 1987 to 1989 (0.30 t/trip).
The artisanal fleet accounts for over 80% of pelagic fish landings. These are mainly of the two sardinella species (Sardinella aurita and S. maderensis), mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). The canoe fleet continues to account for almost all landings of E. encrasicolus taken in Ghanaian waters. The tuna fleet catches an insignificant amount of E. encrasicolus to be used as bait for the tuna fishery.
S. aurita: there was a gradual increase in the catch of S. aurita by the artisanal fleet from 1986 to 1988, followed by a slight decrease in 1989. The CPUE followed the same trend.
S. maderensis: the catch and CPUE increased from 1986 to 1987; followed by a sharp decrease from 1987 to 1989.
S. japonicus: the catch and CPUE, which were very substantial in 1986, returned to low levels in 1987, followed by a gradual increase from 1987 to 1989.
E. encrasicolus: the catch and CPUE sharply increased from 1986 to 1987, decreased slightly from 1987 to 1988 and increased from 1988 to 1989.
The catches of Lagocephalus laevigatus by the canoes are on the increase.
Balistes capriscus has completely disappeared from the fishery.
B. Semi-industrial fleet:
The total number of operational semi-industrial vessels remained stable between 1986 (242) and 1988 (244) followed by a sharp decrease in 1989 (199).
Total landings of semi-industrial vessels decreased gradually from 1986 (21 900 t) to 1988 (7 400 t), followed by an increase in 1989 (12 700 t). The CPUE followed the same trend.
Pelagic landings of this sector were mainly S. aurita, S. maderensis and S. japonicus. The purse seiners of this sector accounted for the bulk of the landings.
S. aurita: Landings and CPUE of S. aurita by the semi-industrial sector decreased from 1986 to 1988, followed by a sharp increase in 1989.
S. maderensis: The landings and CPUE of S. maderensis by sector increased from 1986 to 1987; this was followed by a sharp decrease from 1987 to 1988 and then an increase in 1989.
S. japonicus: Landings as well as the CPUE of S. japonicus by the semi-industrial fleet decreased sharply from 1986 to 1987, followed by a sharp increase from 1987 to 1989.
C. Industrial Fleet
The number of industrial vessels increased gradually from 11 in 1986 to 24 in 1989.
Industrial vessels, all bottom trawlers, occasionally catch pelagic species: mainly the sardinellas and S. japonicus.
Sardinella spp. : The catches of the two sardinella species by the industrial fleet were usually not separated into species; these catches and the CPUES increased from 1987 to 1989 (2 300-4 000 t).
S. japonicus: Landings of mackerels decreased sharply between 1986 and 1988, followed by a slight increase in 1989.
3.2.3 Conclusion
Generally, the availability of fuel, fishing inputs and accessories has improved. However, the high cost of these items could adversely affect fishing activities since boat operators cannot easily afford them. The present unstable situation in the Gulf region which has resulted in ever increasing fuel prices is likely to affect fishing activities in Ghana.
The exploitation of coastal small pelagics concerns only the artisanal fishery, carried out by canoes using nets of the ali/ poli/watsa type and the beach-seine. The data gathered concern only the Lome port, the rest of the coastline being covered only during frame surveys. The beach-seines were not included or sampled.
The anchovy is the principal species landed at the Lome port, with over 4 000 t each year since 1987. The sardinellas do not represent large quantities and the mackerels are mixed with similar species.
It is pointed out that a considerable number of the fishermen were Ghanaians, so it is probable that some catches are made in the Ghanaian sector.
The fishery for pelagic species is essentially artisanal although some are caught by trawlers. This fishery is carried out on the continental shelf with three types of gear: purse-seine, beach-seine and sardinella ring-nets.
Potential of the fishery: there was a reduction in the total number of different gears used in this fishery between 1987 and 1990: less than 36% for the purse-seine, 10% for the beach-seine and 14% for the sardinella net. The total number of these gears reduced from over 325 in 1988 to 318 in 1990, following the migration of fishermen.
Catches (t) of principal coastal pelagic species in 1987–1989 are tabulated below.
| year | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardinella aurita | 194 | 39 | 158 |
| S. maderensis | 2483 | 924 | 1663 |
| E.encrasicolus | 663 | 137 | 139 |
| Ilisha africana | 1584 | 2386 | 675 |
As shown in the above table, the catches of the principal coastal pelagic species varied considerably during the past three years. The following may be noted:
a reduction between 1987 and 1988: S. aurita 80%, S. maderensis 62%, E. encrasicolus 79%
against an increase of 51% for the I. africana
an increase between 1988 and 1989: S. aurita 304%, S. maderensis 80%, E. encrasicolus 2%
against a 71.7% decrease for I. africana.
It is important to note that, depending on the year, these four species represent 30–55% of the annual total catches of marine artisanal fisheries.
In conclusion, there is some yearly compensation in the catches of the different small pelagic fish and the appreciable contribution of I. africana in the total production.
