The study, led by the University of St Andrews in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and other partners, examined issues of equity and sustainability in conservation policy, using Ghana’s closed fishing season as a case study.
It found that long before the introduction of state-led conservation measures, coastal fishing communities voluntarily observed fishing breaks through weekly non-fishing days, festival-related bans, and seasonal pauses influenced by weather patterns.

Communities including Tema, Apam, Abuesi, and Akplabanya enforced such fishing holidays under traditional governance systems, creating what researchers described as “micro-closures” that supported ecological regeneration.
In the Volta Region, rituals such as Nudedephu—which involved temporary fishing bans following sacrifices to sea deities—were also believed to enhance fish abundance.

“These traditional practices functioned in ways comparable to modern scientific conservation approaches,” the report noted.
The study, however, observed that the weakening of traditional authority and diminishing respect for indigenous practices had reduced the effectiveness of these community-led conservation systems.

The researchers recommended that Ghana’s fisheries laws formally recognise traditional governance structures—as provided for under Section 169(1) of the Fisheries Act, 2025—to foster inclusive and community-driven stewardship of marine resources.