A fishery in distress: An analysis of the small pelagic fishery of Ghana

Abstract The small pelagic fishery contributes substantially to Ghana’s fish production and plays important roles in food nutritional security. However, the resource is under serious threat due destructive fishing practices, illegal, unreported unregulated (IUU), overcapacity of fleets, population growth climate change. This paper aims analyze terms of; mapping chain, landings, imports export, role security management measures sustain fishery. Annual landings five species were obtained from database of the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division Fisheries Commission Ghana analyzed for period 1998–2018. In production, 55% stocks are landed fresh by artisanal canoes, while 26% come inshore fleet, 4% industrial fleet 15% imports. These traded their (65%), frozen (17%) or processed (18%) forms several actors along supply chain on national international markets. round sardine anchovy dominated Atlantic chub mackerel was characterized a gradual decrease over period. Per capita consumption fluctuated analyzed. Imports relatively higher than exports. decline these commercial importance could lead domino effect that diminish overall contributions economy through reduced exports, at same time increasing need imports, thus threatening livelihoods poverty level millions people engaged sector nation. authorities should, therefore, as matter urgency strengthen fisheries making clear bold decisions reverse stock mitigate impacts society.