Small pelagic fish under threat

Pollution, specifically plastic, and climate change will unduly mar the sustainability of small pelagic fish, leading to the collapse of the country’s small-scale fisheries.

This is because scientific and technical research had shown that small pelagic fish­ery (mackerels, sardinellas and anchovies) stocks had declined significantly over the years.

The sector used to contribute about 70 per cent of fish landing, however in 2001, the distribution of small pelagic fish had dropped to 57 per cent.

Director of Marine Fisheries Manage­ment Division of the Fisheries Commis­sion (FC), Maame Esi Bordah-Quayson, made this known at the inaugural cere­mony of the Greater Accra Small Pelagic Co-Management Committee (SPCC) in Tema on Wednesday.

She noted that artisanal sub-sector (canoe fishing) had been saddled with open access fishery resulting in over capacity, over exploration leading to dwindling stocks.

These, Ms Bordah-Quayson noted, was threatening to undermine income and live­lihood of coastal communities and all those along the value chain.

According to her, this was a cause for concern because without small pelagic in the country, there would be no fishery hence canoe fleet that lands more than 70 per cent of total small pelagic fish catch would collapse.

“It therefore behooves on all of us to en­sure its sustainability for present generation and prosperity,” she added.

Ms Bordah-Quayson said scientifically a stock was considered collapsed when it reached 10 per cent of its highest yields, which the country’s stock looked more like it.

She explained that a collapse of small pelagic fish would be disastrous because it was a major contributor to the national food and nutritional security, poverty allevi­ation, foreign exchange earning and wealth creation.

“A complete collapse of this fishery would affect direct employment, the econ­omy, and food security across the country,” she noted.

She said the inauguration of the SPCC was, therefore, timely and paramount in improving the sustainable management of small pelagic fish.

She said the FC and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development had intro­duced interventions to ensure the reversal of current dwindling trends and possible recovery of small pelagic stock.

These, include the embossment of all canoes, institution of closed seasons and the impending moratorium on new entrants which are enshrined in the Fisheries Man­agement Plan of 2020 and automation of premix distribution.

The chairman of the committee, Mr Reuben Jefferson Daker Ocansey, com­mended the ministry and FC for estab­lishing the policy frame work on Fisheries Co-Management and Co-Committees.

He said whilst the committee was de­voted to working and collaborating with the FC in ensuring active participation and implementing management measures in artisanal sector, the SPCC members would require periodic capacity development to be effective and efficient.

The committee, he said would also need adequate technical, logistical and financial support.

The acting Paramount Chief of Tema, Nene Tetteh Wakah III, who chaired the function advised committee members to work in unison and according to their mandate.

The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Yohani Amarh Ashitey, told committee members not to lord it over those in the industry, especially artisanal fish folks.