A leading fisheries expert has called for a strategic shift toward the Blue Economy as Ghana faces a sharp decline in fish stocks, warning that overdependence on fishing is no longer sustainable.
Professor Joseph Aggrey-Fynn of the University of Cape Coast said the country must diversify its use of marine resources by investing in sectors such as tourism and marine transport to reduce pressure on dwindling fisheries.
Delivering his inaugural lecture on the theme “Ghana’s declining fisheries resources: Reality or myth,” he noted that while the fisheries sector contributes about 1.2 per cent to GDP and supplies nearly 60 per cent of the nation’s protein needs, fish stocks—particularly Sardinella—are rapidly declining due to overfishing, weak regulation, and environmental factors.
Blue Economy Opportunities Untapped
Prof. Aggrey-Fynn highlighted vast untapped opportunities within Ghana’s marine space, including whale and dolphin watching along the coast from Winneba to the Western Region. He also pointed to the unique geographical feature where the zero latitude and zero longitude intersect in Ghanaian waters, describing it as a potential global tourism attraction.
Drawing comparisons with Cape Verde, where marine tourism generates significant revenue, he urged Ghana to develop similar initiatives to create jobs and boost the economy.
Call for Structural Reforms
To address illegal fishing, the professor also proposed scrapping numerous minor landing beaches, arguing that more than 300 landing sites along Ghana’s 550-kilometre coastline make monitoring and enforcement difficult. This, he said, allows illegal practices such as light fishing to persist unchecked.
He stressed the need for stricter regulation, improved monitoring systems, and better fisheries management to protect the country’s marine resources.
Research and Innovation Drive
As part of long-term solutions, Prof. Aggrey-Fynn announced plans by UCC to establish the Africa Ocean Institute to advance research and innovation in fisheries and coastal development across the continent. The institute is expected to be launched in Accra before July and will seek support from government and development partners.
The call signals a growing push for Ghana to rethink its approach to marine resource management by balancing conservation with economic diversification for sustainable growth.
