Elizabeth Afoley Quaye Ghana's minister of fisheries
Elizabeth Afoley Quaye Ghana’s minister of fisheries
Ghana has moved to control the hitherto unregulated increase in the country’s fishing canoe fleet, which has been blamed for the fast-falling small pelagic catch in the country.
Fisheries
and Aquaculture Development Ministry Minister Elizabeth Afoeley-Quaye
launched the first ever Canoe Authorization Card in the sub-region, as
Ghana moves to address the influx of new canoes that have flourished
under the country’s previous open-access policy, which has been linked
to the fast diminishing sardinella species and other small pelagic fishery.
An updated vessel registry system by the Fisheries Ministry, included in the authorization card proposal, indicates phenomenal growth in fishing canoe numbers from 12,700 in 2016 to 14,700 in 2018.
The
new card, which will contain personal information – such as their
address and other data about the owner/operator of the canoe – is to be
implemented by the country’s fisheries commission in collaboration with
the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council. Most of the canoes in Ghana
and across West Africa measure three meters to 20 meters length overall
(LOA) and use various fishing gears, with ring-nets being the most
preferred one.
Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says in the 2020 budget statement
and economic policy the new technological tool would enhance and deepen
Ghana’s marine stock recovery in addition to “enhancing effective
premix fuel distribution in fishing communities.”
Ghana’s small
pelagic fisheries, such as the round and flat sardinella, anchovies, and
mackerel, account for 70 to 80 percent of the country’s total fish
landings but have been severely overfished.
“Over the past decade
or so the size of the canoes has dramatically increased, fishing nets
have become larger and longer, the horsepower of canoe outboard motors
enables fishers to go further per trip, and fuel subsidies prevent the
real cost of canoe fishing to be felt by fishers,” a USAID presentation
said.
According to Afoeley-Quaye, Ghana’s “current free and open
access regime for the artisanal fisheries has contributed to
overcapacity, overfishing, low productivity, and low profitability.”
Photo courtesy of the Republic of Ghana’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
