Accra: An environmental impact assessment of a government-imposed fishing closed season regime has garnered significant approval from fishers and stakeholders in key fishing communities across the country.
According to Ghana Web, the three-year assessment was conducted by the UK-headquartered Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) across eight coastal towns, including Axim, Sekondi, Shama, Elmina, Apam, Bortianor, Tema, and Keta, since 2023. The study revealed that over 80 percent of fishers in these areas understand the scientific benefits of the closed season regime.
EJF interviewed 120 fishers from these coastal communities about biological monitoring during the closed season. The participants expressed pride in contributing to the recovery of the country's fish population by engaging in the biological monitoring process. Nearly half of the fishers, trained as citizen scientists by EJF, reported increased trust in regulators. Furthermore, 92 percent demonstrated a strong understanding of scientific principles, while 85 percent expressed interest in future training sessions.
Dr. Edna Quansah, EJF's Science and Research Manager in Ghana, highlighted the varied roles fishers played in the assessment and monitoring exercise. Activities included sourcing fish for analysis, measuring and gutting fish, data entry, and educating peers about the closed season. The hands-on involvement allowed fishers to observe biological indicators firsthand, reinforcing the regime's scientific necessity.
The report also shared feedback from fishing communities on how to enhance the closed season's effectiveness, inclusivity, and sustainability. Recommendations included early and clear announcements of closed seasons, expanding educational initiatives via local media and community meetings, and offering soft loans to alleviate financial hardship during the closed season. Fishers also urged the government to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing to ensure ecological benefits are realized.
Ghana's marine fisheries are crucial for approximately 10 percent of the population, providing 80 percent of the country's fish production and supporting over 200 coastal communities. However, global overfishing has led to the collapse of many marine fisheries, including Ghana's small pelagic fishery, a vital resource for food security and livelihoods.
Closed seasons were first introduced in Ghana for the industrial marine fishery sector in 2016, and extended to all fishing fleets, including artisanal sectors, in 2019. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture announced that marine canoe artisanal fishers would be exempt from the closed season in 2025 and 2026, provided they comply with other management measures.