35 damage. Poor waste water and sanitation facilities at the fish landing sites has created unhygienic
fishing handling and processing conditions that require urgent attention. The study tour to Senegal by women groups will provide an opportunity to initiate early actions on shoreline
sanitation improvements in Axim and Sawoma.
The contributions of partners has been important to the Ankobra ecosystem based management effort. DQF has carried out extensive contact and communication with Sawoma and Axim,
identified and trained a large number of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in preparation for fisheries value chain improvement projects such as the adoption of improve fish
smoking technology. SNV included the Ankobra in its coast wide analysis of the wood supply value chain for fish smoking. The Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project began work on
mangrove conservation and restoration within the lower watershedmangrove system area.
Activities in Year 2 will take place on the following:
4.3.1 Complete characterization and vulnerability assessment reports
Year 2 activities will first of all involve completion of the ecosystem characterization and the coastal vulnerability assessments early in the first quarter. This is carry-over work not fully
completed in Year 1. More detailed profiles of the characteristics of estuary resource users and their use patterns will be completed.
4.3.2 Information sharing and engagement for vulnerability assessment and estuary characterization
The assessment and associated information for the Axim and Ankobra areas will be shared with Nzema East Municipal Assembly through a workshop with the District in an effort to build
support for joint district management of shared natural resources along the Ankobra.
4.3.3 Initiating governance mechanisms
A proposal will be made to establish an estuarine management committee that can oversee and act as a discussion forum for the ongoing progress and options for management and adaptation.
Among the key topics for the committee is exploring the establishment of a Joint District Planning Group with Nzema East and Ellembelle District Assemblies. At the same time, the
project will continue to seek dialogue with Adamus Resource both to share information and foster engagement with the District and any potential Joint Development Planning Area
Detailed analysis of satellite imagery will be conducted to build upon initial effort in year one to produce land use land cover data for the Ankobra estuary ecosystem. The land cover will be
extracted from 2013 RapidEye imagery and will follow the same protocol that was used during the ICFG initiative. The land cover data will provide the baseline for detailed mangrove mapping
in the Ankobra estuary. The products from these mapping efforts will support improved management and lay the ground for updating the spatial plans for both Nzema East and
Ellembelle districts to incorporate uses that are conservation oriented and support the fishery habitat.
4.3.4 Early actions for community resilience
An early action that can be helpful to the five isolated river communities is to pilot Village Savings and Loan Associations in coordination with the CSLP. The CSLP has already initiated
36 mangrove reforestation in the broader Ankobra landscape, and this is a promising activity and
strategy for empowering the five river villages to participate in community-based management processes for the estuarine resource.
A Pilot Mangrove Forest Restoration effort led by HM will be designed, based on a Study Tour to the Volta Region which is a model example that offers valuable lessons for replication.
Transportation to the river communities has proven a major obstacle to the three implementing partners for this activity. A small boat and motor, appointed with all necessary safety equipment,
will be obtained by HM to provide logistics for the groups working on the activity.
4.3.5 Initiate the ecosystem management planning process for Ankobra
A management plan for the estuary and mangrove ecosystem will be drafted taking into account community-based decision making for sustainable fishing and mangrove protection. A
permanent community-based management committee will be proposed and policies will be included in district spatial plans for Ellembelle and Nzema East districts.
4.3.6 Adaptation action options for vulnerable fish landing sites in Sawoma and Axim
Sawoma and its residents are vulnerable to hazards, notably flooding and evolving sea level rise. Information from the vulnerability assessment suggests that resettlement is a gradual process and
long-term option for adaptation to these stressors. Furthermore the assessment revealed that impact of flooding on fish processing as a livelihood option is disproportionately high. SpS in
coordination with HM and CRC will facilitate the development of flood risk and hazards plan to inform the siting of fish processing facilities prior to widespread dissemination of adopted stove
technologies by women processors. Areas for siting these facilities will be designated to district spatial and land use plans to ensure long term protection of these sites as water-dependent uses.
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Figure 4: Map of the Ankobra Estuarine Area
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4.4 Integrated Community Fisheries Management and Resilience Plans for the Pra
