Fisherfolk have recommended that fisheries management take into account local and indigenous knowledge of local communities for equitable and inclusive decision-making. 

The recommendation, which is contained in a report of a project titled “Creating Synergy between Indigenous Practices and Scientific Knowledge (ISIPSK),” further recommends that the fishing closed season, if it is to be implemented, could align with the natural closure in May/June, which historically has been observed by fisherfolk.

The fisherfolk explained that refraining from fishing during these months reduced exposure to unsafe sea conditions, noting that rough seas and harsh weather typically marked May and June.

They further argued that the closed season could be strengthened by drawing on traditional fisheries governance systems, which were effective in the past, and that this could be operationalised under Section 169(1) of the Fisheries Act, 2025 (Act 1146), which allows for the recognition of customary management practices.

Reinforces

This call reinforces recommendations in the Fisheries Co-Management Policy (2020) and the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy (2016), both of which advocate governance arrangements that integrate local knowledge with scientific and technical expertise from government agencies.

The ISIPSK research initiative, also known as the Sankofa Project, examined the equity and sustainability of fisheries conservation policies.

Using Ghana’s closed fishing season as a case study, the research aimed to advance understanding of the policy's gendered socio-economic impacts, among other objectives.

The study engaged 833 fisherfolk across eight major fishing communities at 15 landing beaches in all four coastal regions of the country.

It found that 90 per cent of surveyed fisherfolk reported a decline in fish landings over the past decade. Respondents attributed that largely to the destructive practices of industrial trawl vessels, particularly the dumping of juvenile fish at sea.

The fisherfolk also acknowledged additional pressures on fish stocks, including an increase in the number of canoes, the widespread use of illegal and unsustainable fishing methods, such as light fishing, chemical fishing and small-mesh nets and the decline in traditional rituals and customary marine stewardship practices.

Views on closed season

While 82 per cent of surveyed fisherfolk agreed that urgent action is needed to address declining fish stocks, only 26 per cent believed that the July closed season was effective in rebuilding depleted resources.

Many respondents argued that the current one-month closure was counterproductive, as it led to intensified fishing efforts before and after the closure, sometimes using illegal methods to secure sufficient catch.

The closed season was first introduced for industrial trawlers in 2016, and later extended to the artisanal fleet in 2019, following strong resistance from fishers in 2018 over the timing.

It was observed from 2021 to 2024, with suspensions in 2020 and 2025.

The fisheries sector remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s food security and coastal livelihoods, supporting an estimated 3.5 million people, or over 10 per cent of coastal populations.

It contributes 2.6 per cent to five per cent of agricultural GDP and generates more than US$1 billion annually in foreign exchange.

The fisherfolk also called for the introduction of livelihood support programmes, particularly for individuals aged 65 and above, during the closed season. 

Sankofa Project

The Sankofa Project was led by a lecturer at the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of the St Andrews (UK), Dr Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, with research support from a student, Josephine Laryea Asare, as part of her PhD work.

It was funded by the Pew Fellows Programme in Marine Conservation (The Pew Charitable Trusts) and implemented in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, the Fisheries Committee for the West and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG).

The research began in 2024 and its findings were launched last Tuesday.

Survey report

Ninety percent of fisherfolk surveyed in all four coastal regions reported that the quantity of fish landed in the past decade had reduced.

They attributed the decline to the destructive operations of industrial trawl vessels that dump juvenile fish they harvest at sea.

As small-scale fisherfolk, they acknowledged an increase in the number of canoes, the widespread use of illegal and unsustainable fishing techniques (such as fishing with light, chemicals, and/or small-mesh nets), and the cessation of the observance of traditional rituals, among others.

Eighty-two per cent of surveyed fisherfolk agreed that action needs to be taken to address the declining fish stocks.

Nonetheless, only 26% of the surveyed fisherfolk share the view that a fishing closed season implemented in July was effective in rebuilding depleted resources.

Fishermen opined that the closed season is counterproductive because the one-month break compels them to disregard the traditional fishing holidays to intensify their fishing efforts, for which they employ illegal methods to guarantee a catch.

Fisherfolk expressed reservations about July for a closed season, as advised by the Scientific Technical Working Group (STWG) to be the spawning period for small pelagic species.

As all fishing activities are halted during the closed season, it largely afforded fisherfolk a chance to take a break from their arduous livelihood activities to either maintain their fishing equipment, fish smoking ovens, rest, or attend to social obligations

?The closed season resulted in a cessation of income, which translated to economic hardships.

This was particularly pronounced among male and female fisherfolk without a supplementary source of income.

70% of fisherfolk relied on their fisheries livelihood as their primary and often only source of income.