My experience in Ghana’s aquaculture and inland fisheries sector over the years has widened my scope in appreciating the relevance of ensuring the sustainability, conservation and the productivity of our inland waters over a longer period.
Although, millions of livelihoods depend on the sector for survival yet our inland waters in the 21st century are still treated as “A Tragedy of the Common” with clear neglect of its sustainability for the next generation. Where do we see ourselves in the next 10years when thousands of canoes and boats continuously ply their trade in our inland waters especially the Volta lake on daily basis (morning, afternoon and evening). Not forgetting the excessive use of the illegal fishing methods such as bamboo fishing, smaller net sizes and mass plastics and microplastic landing grounds from fringed communities.
I believe in “the people must eat concept“ but let’s not forget that total neglect for conservation of species like Gymnacus, Alestes, Heterotis, Lates and other fresh water species will be a great disadvantage to the same “people” that highly depend on the sector.
Now, have we ever wondered how to balance the ever-growing exploitation of the resources especially the various fish species and it’s sustainability.
Then the thin line between our ever-growing exploitation and effective fisheries policy considering all stakeholders, tradition, norms, gender mainstreaming and alternative livelihood development must be clearly harnessed.
I’m just a concern youth and a nature activist. I stand for conservation and sustainability of inland fisheries coupled with alternative livelihood development initiatives for fisher folks.
By Daniel K. Owusu
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8062691631637113"
crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<!-- Glean1 -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:block"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-8062691631637113"
data-ad-slot="8155981133"
data-ad-format="auto"
data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
