Marine & Coastal Ecosystems - Centre for Blue Economy Africa

550 km

Coastline Length

218,100 km²

Exclusive Economic Zone

328,000 tonnes

Total Fish Catch (2024)

17.2%

Catch Decline (2015-2024)

Ghana's Fisheries Production Trends

Ghana's marine fisheries have experienced significant changes over the past decade, with declining wild catches offset partially by growing aquaculture production.

2024 Production Breakdown

Artisanal Fisheries

172,480 tonnes 52.6% of total catch

12,500 canoes
135,000 fishermen
280 fishing days/year
45 kg avg catch/trip

Down 20.6% since 2015

Industrial Fisheries

118,240 tonnes 36.0% of total catch

78 total vessels
52 trawlers, 26 purse seiners
18 crew per vessel avg
35 tonnes avg catch/trip

Down 25.2% since 2015

Aquaculture

37,280 tonnes 11.4% of total production

2,850 fish farms
24,800 tonnes tilapia
11,200 tonnes catfish
18,500 direct jobs

Up 88.8% since 2015

Major Commercial Species

Sardinella

Overexploited

Sardinella aurita & S. maderensis

95,000 tonnes/year Most important pelagic species

Critical for food security and artisanal fisheries. Declining due to overfishing and climate change impacts on upwelling.

Anchovy

Fully Exploited

Engraulis encrasicolus

42,000 tonnes/year Key forage fish

Currently at maximum sustainable yield. Requires careful management to prevent overexploitation.

Tuna

Fully Exploited

Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis

38,000 tonnes/year High-value export species

Yellowfin and skipjack tuna are Ghana's most valuable catches. Subject to regional management.

Cassava Croaker

Overexploited

Pseudotolithus senegalensis

25,000 tonnes/year Important demersal species

Popular local food fish experiencing severe population decline. Urgent conservation needed.

Mackerel

Moderately Exploited

Scomber japonicus

18,000 tonnes/year Seasonal migrant

Stable populations but vulnerable to increased fishing pressure.

Shrimp

Overexploited

Penaeus notialis

8,500 tonnes/year High-value export product

Significant decline due to trawling pressure and habitat degradation in coastal lagoons.

Ocean & Sea Conditions

Sea Surface Temperature Rising

Ghana's coastal waters have warmed by 1.7°C over the past decade, significantly impacting marine ecosystems and fish distribution.

Species Migration

Tropical species moving north, traditional species declining

Coral Bleaching

Major bleaching events in 2016, 2019, and 2023

Weakened Upwelling

15% reduction in nutrient-rich cold water upwelling

Reduced Fish Stocks

Sardinella catch down 30% due to temperature stress

Critical Upwelling Zones

Cape Three Points

Strong Intensity

Location: 4.75°N, 2.08°W

Season: July - September

Most important upwelling zone in Ghana. Critical spawning and nursery area for sardinella. Cold nutrient-rich water supports 40% of Ghana's pelagic fish catch.

Temperature Drop: 4-6°C

Chlorophyll-a: 5.5 mg/m³

Eastern Ghana Coast

Moderate Intensity

Location: 5.5°N, 0.0°E

Season: July - August

Secondary upwelling zone near Accra-Tema. Provides nutrient enrichment supporting anchovy and mackerel fisheries during peak season.

Temperature Drop: 2-3°C

Chlorophyll-a: 3.2 mg/m³

Key Ocean Parameters

Salinity

35.2 ppt

Range: 33.5 - 36.5 ppt

Lower during rainy season (May-July) due to river discharge from Volta, Pra, and Ankobra rivers.

Ocean Currents

0.5-1.5 knots

Guinea Current (Nov-Apr)

Eastward Guinea Current dominates most of the year. Westward Benguela influence during upwelling season.

Chlorophyll-a

2.8 mg/m³

1.2 - 5.5 mg/m³

Primary productivity indicator. Declining 3% annually due to warming and reduced upwelling intensity.

Coastal Pollution Crisis

Plastic Pollution Emergency

112,000 tonnes

of plastic enters Ghana's ocean annually

280,000 tonnes

total plastic waste generated in coastal areas

40%

of coastal plastic ends up in the ocean

Sources of Plastic Pollution

Urban Runoff 45%

Beach Littering 25%

Fishing Gear 15%

Industrial Discharge 10%

River Transport 5%

Most Polluted Beaches

Korle Lagoon Beach, Accra

Critical

145 items/m² plastic density

Issues: Plastic waste, sewage discharge, industrial runoff from Accra metropolitan area

Health Impact: Unsafe for swimming, high disease risk

Chemu Lagoon, Tema

Severe

98 items/m² plastic density

Issues: Industrial chemicals, oil spills, heavy plastic contamination

Health Impact: Toxic chemical exposure risk

Benya Lagoon, Elmina

High

67 items/m² plastic density

Issues: Abandoned fishing gear, domestic waste from fishing community

Health Impact: Moderate contamination

Sakumo Lagoon, Accra

High

72 items/m² plastic density

Issues: Urban runoff, plastic bottles, shopping bags

Health Impact: Threatens Ramsar wetland ecosystem

Oil Spills & Hydrocarbon Pollution

Oil spills from offshore platforms and shipping activities pose ongoing threats to marine life, beaches, and fishing grounds. 2022 saw the highest incident rate with 12 spills totaling 2,100 barrels.

Sewage & Industrial Contamination

Untreated Sewage

185,000 m³/day

discharged directly into coastal waters

Accra metropolitan area (largest source)
Tema port city
Sekondi-Takoradi

65% of monitoring sites exceed safe fecal coliform levels

Heavy Metals

Lead, Mercury, Cadmium

from mining and e-waste processing

Mining runoff (especially galamsey)
E-waste processing in Accra
Industrial zone discharge

Concentrations increasing 5% annually

Nutrient Pollution

Nitrogen & Phosphorus

causing algal blooms

Agricultural runoff
Sewage discharge
Aquaculture effluent

Triggering harmful algal blooms

Challenges Facing Ghana's Fishermen

Declining Fish Catches: A Growing Crisis

17.2%

Average catch decline (2015-2024)

$67 million

Annual economic loss

135,000

Artisanal fishermen affected

Artisanal fishermen report having to travel farther from shore and spend more days at sea to catch the same amount of fish they caught 10 years ago. Average catch per trip has decreased from 67 kg (2015) to 45 kg (2024).

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

450 illegal vessels

detected annually in Ghana's waters

60,000 tonnes

stolen fish per year

$50 million

lost revenue to local fishermen

75% foreign vessels

mainly from China, Korea, and EU

IUU fishing vessels operate with impunity, using prohibited gear, fishing in restricted areas, and catching undersized fish. Traditional patrol boats can only monitor 5% of Ghana's territorial waters, leaving vast areas vulnerable to exploitation.

Climate Change Impacts on Fisheries

Reduced Upwelling Intensity

High Severity

Weakening of cold water upwelling has reduced nutrient availability, leading to 15% decline in sardinella catch - the most important species for food security.

Sea Temperature Rise

High Severity

1.7°C temperature increase causing fish species to migrate to cooler waters. Traditional fishing grounds becoming less productive as preferred species move away.

Unpredictable Weather

Moderate Severity

Increased storm frequency and unpredictable weather patterns force fishermen to lose average of 45 days per year (vs 28 days in 2010). This directly reduces income and increases operational risks.

Sea Level Rise & Coastal Erosion

Moderate to High

Rising seas threatening fishing communities, landing sites, and infrastructure. Many communities facing forced relocation, disrupting centuries-old fishing traditions.

Economic Hardship in Fishing Communities

Low Incomes

$180/month

average income for artisanal fishermen

Below Ghana's poverty line of $220/month

High Poverty

42%

poverty rate in fishing communities

vs. 23% national poverty rate

Debt Burden

68%

of fishermen in debt

Average debt: $850 (4.7 months income)

Rising Costs

50%

of expenses go to fuel

Fuel prices up 85% since 2020

Operational Challenges

Aging fishing gear and deteriorating canoes
Limited access to cold storage and ice
Poor market infrastructure reducing fish prices
Competition from cheap imported frozen fish
Lack of access to affordable credit
Limited business and financial literacy training

72% of fishermen express interest in alternative livelihoods if viable options are provided with adequate training and startup support.

Employment in Fisheries Sector

2.1 million

Total jobs in fisheries value chain

62%

Women participation rate

12%

Contribution to Ghana's GDP

Jobs by Sub-Sector

Fish Trading

450,000 jobs

Dominated by women "fish mammies"

Processing

280,000 jobs

Smoking, drying, salting

Capture Fishing

135,000 jobs

Mainly men in artisanal sector

Boat Building

35,000 jobs

Traditional canoe makers

Gear Manufacturing

28,000 jobs

Net making and repairs

Aquaculture

18,500 jobs

Fastest growing sub-sector

Data Sources & Methodology

FAO Fisheries Statistics

Global Authority on Aquaculture & Fisheries data, providing comprehensive catch statistics and species assessments.

Ghana Fisheries Commission

National fisheries data, annual reports on catch statistics, fleet registrations, and management measures.

Ghana Statistical Service

Socio-economic data on fishing communities, employment, and economic contribution of fisheries sector.

World Bank PROBLUE

Blue economy data, IUU fishing estimates, and sustainable fisheries development indicators.

NOAA Ocean Data

Sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, and oceanographic parameters from satellite monitoring.

Scientific Studies

Peer-reviewed research on Gulf of Guinea fisheries, climate impacts, and coastal ecosystem health.

CBEA's Solutions for Ghana's Marine Challenges

We're implementing innovative, data-driven solutions to address these critical challenges and restore Ghana's marine ecosystems.

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