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WESTERN
Selling price GHC Percentage share of
selling price
Value addition GHC
Net profit GHC Percentage share
of profit
48.2 14.8 37
3.5 4.5 6
2.2 0.6 0.5 34.2 26.3 39.5
1.3 0.64 1
Producers Transporters
Traders Consumers
Figure 88 Costs, gains and worth of value added per bundle of fuelwood along the chain- Western
4.7 FISH SMOKING AND MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION OF FISH NURSERIES
4.7.1 INTRODUCTION
Generally, mangroves are vital resources along coastal forest margins essentially maintaining ecological balance and providing a variety of provisioning, protection and other benefits to
wildlife and communities in these ecosystems. Through photosynthesis, mangroves supply nutrients and oxygen to animals and plants in the ecosystem. It is estimated that every hectare
of mangroves can feed 12 tonnes of living things. Mangroves are also foraging and living places for wildlife and serve as hiding places and shelters against adverse weather. Their root
systems absorb inorganic substances and reduce water pollution. For instance nitrogen and phosphorous, metals as well as chemical oxygen are lowered. Generally mangroves serve as
hedges protecting coastlines against strong tidal waves. In Guyana they have been used as sea defense material against denudation of the coastline Allan et al., 2002. Their root systems
serve as barrier protecting the coastlines against erosion thus stabilizing the coastlines of the river shores and estuaries.
Mangroves along the coastline of Ghana tend to be associated with coastal lagoons and estuaries. Its distribution is sparse with populations degraded through overcutting and
conversion of mangrove areas to salt pans. The total area of mangrove land along the Ghanaian coastline was estimated in 1995 at 10,000 ha. Mangroves are more prevalent along
the eastern coastal areas of Ghana especially at the Volta delta. A few stands occur along the western coastline in areas such the Amansuri River estuary and Kakum River estuary at Iture.
The species of mangrove found along the Ghana coast are the red mangroves, Rhizophora racemosa
, Rhizophora mangle and Rhizophora harrisonii locally called Atra, the black mangrove, Avicennia germinans locally called Amutsi and white mangrove, Laguncularia
racemosa. Mangrove habitats along the Ghana coast also tend to host a wide variety of fauna
species such as oysters, gastropods, crabs, invertebrates, birds and fish. Mangrove habitats are also particularly as nursery areas for many fish species and crustaceans Anderson, 2010.
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Mangroves have been exploited decades in coastal areas of Ghana for these socio-economic benefits. Over dependency on these resources without adequate conservation measures poses
a threat to wildlife, protective functions against strong tidal waves and livelihoods of and long term sustainability of the fishery industry. This section of the report briefly discuss the
extent of utilization of mangrove resources as well as challenges and opportunities associated with these resources and suggest options for sustainable use and conservation particularly to
protect fish nursery sites.
4.7.2 Mangrove resources in the coastal regions of Ghana
