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in some areas in the Central and Western Regions where the resource is on community wetland, exploitation is not regulated. The principal problem resource owners encounter with
mangroves is its long gestation period as the wood is harvested throughout the year and the rate of regeneration is slow.
Extensive cutting-Volta Poor management-Central
Plate 21 Potential threats to mangrove ecosystem sustainability
4.7.6 Options for sustainable utilization and conservation of mangroves as fish nurseries
The mangrove ecosystem is intertwined with the livelihoods of communities in which they occur. Along the Volta estuary, where there are limited wood resources, mangrove is the
predominant resource exploited for fish smoking. The following are being recommended to augment earlier attempts or interventions executed in mangrove communities to prevent its
degradation and to safeguard livelihoods and the fishery economy in general.
Promote community based management of mangrove areas but these need to be areas of exclusive use rights by various communities
Up-scaling planting including enriching natural regenerated sites for both community, family and privately owned lands
Need for application of silviculture techniques to enhancing mangrove growth to reduce maturity growth of 12 years or more
Buffer zone management EPA, Wildlife, district Assembly, community heads, landowners must be consulted
Development of alternative fuelwood resources in areas outside mangrove ecosystem in mangrove dependent communities to relieve pressure and over dependence on
mangrove for fuelwood and other wood needs. Advantage can be taken of the large tracts of idle land outside mangrove habitats planted with alternative short rotation
fuelwood species suitable for fish smoking with landowners. There are pockets of neem, acacia, eucalyptus and cassia stands in the coastal landscape. The preferred
species among these by the fish smokers can be promoted. Alternatively, the range of traditional species outside the mangroves that are preferred for fish smoking for their
distinct characteristics e.g. enhancing fish colour or looks, can be screened to
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recommend the most healthy species and or longer lasting when burnt in fire to smoke fish
Study shows there are other sources of wood from forest areas in the hinterland for fish smoking even in the Volta Region. Promote woodlot in endemic fuelwood
producing areas Promotion of alternative market based livelihoodsland use options in mangrove
ecosystem crab and shrimp culture, etc. to reduce over dependency on mangrove resources for income
Explore possibility of compensation payments i.e. PES-payment for environment schemes to land to reduce mangrove cutting for fuelwood.
In conclusion it is suggested that all relevant stakeholders concerned with the mangrove ecosystem could be engaged in consultations or in round table discussions
to prioritize and agree on the most feasible options in the short, medium and long terms. Associations and traditional authorities will play a major role to facilitate these
discussions and negotiations.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
