At dawn, fishermen at Apo community in the Shama Municipality of the Western Region push their wooden canoes into the sea with hope and increasing uncertainty.
For them, the sea that once guaranteed bumper catch now offers dwindling returns after a long fishing expedition.
Mr Simon Dadzie, a fisherman, says: “Before, we were very sure of a good catch, but now, you can go the whole day and come back with almost nothing.”
Ghana’s fisheries are in crisis. Marine stocks, especially small pelagic species like sardinella, mackerel, and anchovies that form the backbone of local diets are now dangerously depleted.
Data suggests that over the past decade, Ghana’s total fish catch has declined by more than 17 per cent, with both artisanal and industrial sectors all recording sharp drops.
Ghana’s fisheries sector contributes about one per cent to the county’s GDP, offering direct employment to 100,000 fishermen, and three million work force along the value chain.
For Dadzie and many others who depend on the sea for survival, this decline is not just ecological, but also an existential threat.
Some major causes of the decline
Behind the decline lies a complex web of factors like overfishing driven by too many boats chasing few fish.
Records show that about 70 per cent artisanal fishermen make up the fisheries sector, who have over 12,000 wooden canoes with outboard motors, in about 187 fishing communities with about 279 landing sites.
In the semi-industrial sector, there are over 300 wooden boats with inboard engines at about seven landing sites, while about 45 industrial vessels with steel boats and inboard engines, and about 20 tuna vessels with steel boats and inboard engines landing at two sites each in the industrial sector.
This means that both artisanal and industrial fleets have increased, intensifying competition in already stressed waters.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is another major factor that also worsened the situation.
Practices such as light fishing, use of chemicals, and destructive gear are accelerating depletion, while weak law enforcement allows these infractions to persist.
Research reveals that West African waters, including Ghana, are deemed to have the highest levels of IUU fishing in the world, representing about 40 to 60 per cent of the region’s catch.
Dr Evans K. Arizi, a Lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC), said climate change also continued to wreak havoc on the marine stocks, noting that warm ocean temperatures alter fish migration patterns and reduce productivity in coastal waters.
Consequences
The consequences of all these factors are already visible. Ghana now imports over 79,000 metric tonnes of fish annually to meet local demand.
Mr Kofi Agbogah, the Executive Director of Hen Mpoano, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on coastal and marine ecosystem, stated that many of Ghana’s fish stocks are either overexploited or close to collapse due to declining catch sizes, fish being harvested younger, and entire breeding cycles being disrupted.
He said continued depletion of marine stocks could pose a significant threat to the country’s food security, and the livelihoods of millions who depended on the sea for survival.
According to him, despite existing regulations like the Fisheries Act, National Co-Management Policy, and Ratification of Ports States Measures Agreement among others, the situation continued to worsen.
Marine Protected Area and its benefits
Amid this crisis, Ghana has taken a bold move to establish its first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points enclave in the Western Region, marking a major shift in its fisheries management.
MPA functions as safe zones where fish can breed, grow, and replenish without human pressure, and over time, these protected populations can spill over into surrounding fishing areas, boosting catches and restoring balance.
The MPA, which is set to be officially launched later this month, (April) will cover about 700 square kilometres of biodiversity-rich coastal waters in 21 communities designated as MPA zones.
Globally, MPA managed well have shown potential to rebuild depleted stocks and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
Why MPAs could be a game changer
Replenish fish stocks: By protecting spawning and nursery grounds, MPA allows fish populations to recover naturally, and this is something that conventional rules and regulations alone have struggled to achieve.
Protect livelihoods: Healthier fish stocks mean better catches in the long run, and for coastal communities, this could translate into improved incomes and food security.
Combat illegal fishing methods: Clearly defined protected zones make monitoring and enforcement more targeted, helping to curb destructive practices.
Climate resilience: Stronger, more diverse marine ecosystems are better able to withstand climate shocks, from warming waters to habitat loss.
However, the success of the MPA implementation depends heavily on enforcement, community involvement, and scientific planning. Without the buy-in from local fishers, and effective monitoring, the protected zones risk becoming existing in policy but failing in practice.
In conclusion, there are imminent fears of Ghana’s fisheries being collapsed, therefore, the choices made today will determine whether future generations inherit empty sea or restored abundance.
The establishment of the Marine Protected Area offers an opportunity to reverse decades of decline, and represents a shift from exploitation to stewardship, from short-term survival to long-term sustainability.
It paves way for community-led management, giving coastal communities a stake in protecting the very resources they depend on.
