An urgent call for action to address the significant effect of climate change on the local fishing industry was made by stakeholders at the maiden edition of the Fishing and Marine Dialogue, a key component of the Woarabeba Tweii Festival.
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and industry players in the fishing industry.
The dialogue, held on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024 at Woarabeba in Winneba, in the Central Region which was held under the theme “Climate Change and the Local Fishing Industry,” addressed the pressing challenges facing the fishing sector in light of the global climate crisis.
The event attracted a diverse range of stakeholders, including the Director of the Effutu Zone Fisheries Commission, senior lecturers from the Geography Department of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), and representatives from prominent organizations such as CEWEFIA and Challenging Heights.
Traditional authorities and chief fishermen from Dago, Senya, Winneba, and Apam were also present, underscoring the importance of community involvement.
The event featured two in-depth presentations. Madam Mariam Ernestina Yawson, Zonal Director of the Fisheries Commission, along with Dr. Yaw Asamoah and Dr. Victor Owusu from UEW, shared their expertise on ‘Understanding Climate Change, its Impacts, Adaptation Strategies, and Mitigation Measures for the Local Fishing Industry.’
Their presentations shed light on the urgent challenges climate change poses to the fishing industry and proposed innovative solutions aimed at preserving the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
In her presentation, Madam Yawson highlighted key signs of climate change affecting the coastline. She pointed to changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and temperatures, stronger sea waves, and unusually hot temperatures, among others that are experienced daily as clear indicators of a change in the climate.
These changes, she emphasized, have a direct impact on marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.
“We can all see that things have changed in our work. In the past, we could rely on predictable rainfall patterns to determine the best times to fish. “Now, this is no longer the case,” she said, citing basic signs of climate change.
Madam Yawson explained that human activities have significantly contributed to these environmental changes. “These changes have been caused and still fueled by some of our daily activities, and that is why this dialogue is important.
Sand mining from our beaches, dumping household waste into the sea, cutting down coconuts and mangroves, and using destructive fishing methods all play a part in the problems we face,” she added.
She concluded by urging all stakeholders to recognize the need to play their role respective roles and act collectively to help address the issues of climate change and its devastating effect on the local fishing industry which is vital for feeding the country.
Dr. Yaw Asamoah and Dr. Victor Owusu, Senior Lecturers from the Geography Department of UEW, delivered a compelling joint presentation, highlighting the harmful impacts of daily human activities on the marine environment. Drawing from recent research, they painted a vivid picture of how practices like pollution and overfishing are degrading the ecosystem and threatening the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.
Both lecturers took turns addressing the gathering, focusing on the critical role of each stakeholder in mitigating these environmental challenges. Dr. Owusu shared several adaptation strategies that should be prioritized. He emphasized that while the government is taking the lead on planned adaptation—such as building sea defence walls and harbours—other unplanned adaptation strategies are equally important.
These include actions at the local level, like changing daily behaviours that harm the coastline.
In a strong call to action, Dr Owusu urged community members to actively discourage sand winning along the shores, explaining that this practice increases vulnerability to coastal flooding. He stressed the need for immediate, collective efforts to protect the marine environment, noting that preserving the sea is vital not only for the ecosystem but for the survival of fishing communities.
“We must cultivate the habit of keeping our oceans clean by avoiding the disposal of household waste and plastic sachets into the sea, especially while on fishing expeditions,” he emphasized. “Nananom can play a key role by organizing regular beach clean-up campaigns, ensuring that our shores remain clean and free of waste that could end up in the ocean.” He said.
Dr Owusu further highlighted the vulnerability of fishing communities to climate change, pointing out the heavy dependence on the sea for livelihoods. “With over 100,000 fishermen, 3 million fish processors, and 12,000 canoes relying on the sea, this overreliance increases their susceptibility to climate change’s impacts,” he explained. He stressed the importance of diversification:
“To mitigate the effects of the seasonal declines in fishing, fisherfolk must be encouraged to learn alternative trades or pursue additional jobs. This would provide supplementary income during low fishing periods and reduce the risk of poverty.” He added.
Following the presentations, a diverse panel was constituted, comprising representatives from all stakeholder groups present.
The panel’s discussions aimed to address the concerns raised by participants, including the need for policy reforms, sustainable fishing practices, and the role of local communities in combating climate change. Participants engaged in a lively exchange of ideas, with industry representatives sharing their experiences and challenges, while academics and policymakers provided guidance on how to navigate the evolving environmental landscape.
The dialogue marks a significant milestone in fostering collaboration among key players in the local fishing industry, with a focus on sustainability and adaptation to climate change.
Nyce Media, with support from Challenging Heights, expressed their commitment to ensuring that this dialogue becomes an annual event, contributing to the viability of Ghana’s fishing communities.
