Climate change linked to failing fisheries in coastal Ghana
Abstract
In the coastal area of Accra, Ghana, fish catch has significantly decreased over the last two decades as average sea surface temperatures have steadily risen. For example, the catch of round sardinella, a climate-sensitive species, decreased by 75% between 1992 and 2010. Fishers are becoming highly indebted due to reduced fish catch, increasing risks and growing investment costs. With limited alternatives for livelihood, small scale fishers are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. New livelihood options need to be identified and training will need to be provided. The end of the rainy season traditionally signals the start of the main fishing season, but this is becoming unpredictable due to variability in rainfall distribution patterns, increasing the risks of investment for fishers and exacerbating poverty and indebtedness. The Marine Fisheries Research Division (MFRD) and meteorological authorities should intensify data collection and monitoring activities, to improve forecasting about the onset and productivity of the fishing season, and should make this information available to fisherfolk.
Cite this
APA
Pabi, O., Codjoe, S. N. A., Sah, N. A., & Appeaning Addo, I. (2015). Climate change linked to failing fisheries in coastal Ghana [Policy brief]. International Development Research Centre, Canada. WRENmedia.
Harvard
Pabi, O. et al. (2015) Climate change linked to failing fisheries in coastal Ghana. International Development Research Centre, Canada. WRENmedia..
BibTeX
@techreport{pabi2015climate,
author = {Pabi, O. and Codjoe, S.N.A. and Sah, N.A. and Appeaning Addo, I.},
title = {Climate change linked to failing fisheries in coastal Ghana},
institution = {International Development Research Centre, Canada. WRENmedia.},
year = {2015},
publisher = {International Development Research Centre, Canada. WRENmedia.}
}