Ghana’s fishing industry is a cornerstone of the national economy, providing essential nutrients, employment, and livelihood for millions.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the sector generates about $1 billion annually and supports approximately 135,000 anglers in the marine sub-sector alone.
This industry contributes 4.5 per cent to Ghana’s GDP and sustains the livelihoods of 2.2 million people, roughly 10 per cent of the population.
The marine subsector supplies about 80 percent of the country’s fish and accounts for an average annual catch of 300,000 metric tonnes, highlighting its critical economic role.
However, this vital industry faces a growing threat from plastic pollution. Reports from fishermen reveal a troubling decline in fish catches, with many returning from sea with empty nets or, worse, nets filled with refuse rather than fish.
The proliferation of plastic waste, sewage, and chemical discharges into the marine environment is driving fish away and severely impacting the industry.
Mr. Annan Abbey, a fisherman based at the Tema Landing Beach, lamented the deteriorating condition of the sea.
“Sometimes, I go out to fish and come back with plastics. The sea is polluted, pushing the fish away,” he said. “Not only me but also my fellow fishermen. We can spend a week at sea and return with only a few fish.”
The broader implications of this pollution extend beyond the fishing sector to the entire marine ecosystem and human health.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) warns that pollution from sewage, wastewater, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, oils, and sediments is causing severe damage.
This results in increased carcinogens in seafood, more frequent beach closures, red tides, and the stranding of seabirds, fish, and marine mammals.
Dr Edem Mahu, a marine scientist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, has emphasized the urgent need to address this crisis.
“We need to change our attitudes and hold the oceans close to our hearts,” she urged. “We must stop littering plastics and discharging waste into waterways.”
Given the fishing sector’s importance to Ghana’s economy and the well-being of its people, immediate action is crucial.
By addressing plastic pollution and implementing sustainable practices, there is hope to restore marine health and secure a sustainable future for Ghana’s fishing industry.
