Abstract
In order to achieve sustainable fishing livelihoods in coastal communities, data on profitability of small-scale fisheries relative to fish species caught and gear types used by fishermen is required as part of a broader fisheries management strategy. This study was undertaken with this in mind. Interviews were conducted among 60 fishermen between February and March 2010. Economic assessment of small-scale fishing activities were done using questionnaires based on direct market pricing and contingent valuation methods. The results indicate that highly profitable fish species include Epinephelus aeneus, Sparus caeruleostictus, Dentex angolensis and Lutjanus goreensis valued at US$2.97, US$2.87, US$2.85 and US$2.63 per kilogram respectively. The less profitable species include Dasyatis margarita, Caranx crysos and Sardinella aurita valued at US$0.34, US$0.66 and US$ 0.85 per kilogram respectively. Although Sardinella aurita was among the less valuable fish species, it was the main species driving profits for the fishermen due to its high share volume among the fish catches. Findings from this study suggest high rates of exploitation, in that stocks generally cannot provide for increased economic return in the face of increased investment. This is a clear indicator that the open-access nature of Ghanaian fisheries is not sustainable, and management reform is well overdue.
Highlights
Small-scale fishing or artisanal fishing ranges from sedentary to migrant fishers or communities, from part-time to full-time fishing activity, from subsistence to commercial fishing, from nonadvanced and non-differentiated to highly differentiated and specialized form of fishing 1
The key objective of this paper is to estimate the profitability of small-scale fisheries to fishermen in relation to fish species hauled and gear types used in Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana
This was followed by Dentex angolensis and Epinephelus aeneus, each represented by 15.4% of the fishermen
Summary
Small-scale fishing or artisanal fishing ranges from sedentary to migrant fishers or communities, from part-time to full-time fishing activity, from subsistence to commercial fishing, from nonadvanced and non-differentiated to highly differentiated and specialized form of fishing 1. Small-scale fishers operate in some of the biologically richest and most productive waters on earth, often in tropical coastal zones 2. In small-scale fishing, coastal ethnic communities use traditional techniques which are often but not always intensive compared to modern industrial fishing techniques 1. The activities of the small-scale fishing communities are often aimed at supplying fish and fishing products to local and domestic markets and for household consumption 3. The small-scale fishing sector provides direct employment to millions of people, and indirect employment to millions more. FAO in 1998 reported that 98% of fishing jobs worldwide come from small-scale fishing 2
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