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Figure 19:
Study tour participants with representatives of the women Association Dynamique Femme in Joal, Senegal
2.3.4 Marine Protected Areas MPAs
Ghana presently has no MPAs, fishing reserves, or closed seasons. Significant local knowledge, however, abounds on the ecology of some fish species and their spawning grounds. Some of
these some areas were considered off limits and still today many fishermen do not fish there due to the rocky of the sea floors. The Hɛn Mpoano Initiative has been working with fisher folk and
communities in the Cape three Points focal area towards a better understand of how they are using ‘local knowledge’ to protect fisheries.
Within the greater Cape Three Points focal area the seascape from the Ankobra river estuary to the mouth of the Butre river see Figure 7 is considered the most suitable site for establishment
of a network of the first Marine Protected Areas in Ghana. The setting up of an MPA though with an initial fisheries protection objective could also benefit tourism. Already some private
sector operators are collaborating with CRC-Ghana. For example, Kedas Lodge and Watersport Center, has provided Hɛn Mpoano with some underwater shots see Figure 18 of the seafloor.
An inter-ministerial committee has been constituted by the government of Ghana to consider modalities for setting up MPAs in the country and the Hɛn Mpoano Initiative has been
supporting activities of the committee and building the capacity of its members. Some members of the committee participated in the study tour to Tanzania.
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Figure 20:
Mosaic of underwater life of the Cape Three Points seafloor
Credit: Kedas Lodge Watersport Center, Miemia -Ghana
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Box 11: Some lessons on co-management of MPA from the Tanzania Tour Tanzania faced problems similar to what is observed in the fisheries sector in Ghana today
– problems of declining fish stocks, use of light and dynamite in fishing and inappropriate
beach seining at estuaries, etc. The negative implications and consequences for the future of the fisheries resulted in community led co-management initiatives for the protection of the
fisheries. The idea of establishing an MPAs dates back to the 1960s. However it was not until 1994 that the Tanzanian Parliament enacted a law to provide the legal framework for
the conservation, management and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. The law provided for institutional arrangements for effective management and administration of
MPAs in the country.
Study tour participants observed well coordinated and functioning institutional structures that ensured the Marine Parks and Reserves are protected and well managed. All the Parks
visited were well resourced; with a research support, one or more speed and fibre glass boats for monitoring and patrols and well motivated personnel.
At the beach level, there are community-led no-take zones of intertidal areas are policed by the community fisheries management committees formed to protect fisheries resources. The
coastal district administrations were mandated to issue fisheries, boat and safety license as a way of generating revenue and be part of the fisheries management while the license
regime is enforced by the beach management unit BMUs that are recognized by the fisheries law.
There are close seasons for some species of fish while light, dynamite and beach seine fishing are completely outlawed. When beach seines were banned, the nets were
exchanged for standard net while enforcement of the ban was supported with a massive education drive. Also, to enforce the regulations, fisheries officers were put on board fishing
vessels. Fishermen have been encouraged to form associations and members were required to
observe fishing laws. Wrong doers were reported to Association who in turn reported to the government. Non-members of the Associations do not benefit from incentives from central
government. As ecotourism became more lucrative, most fishermen abandoned fishing and were involved as tour boat operators.
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2.3.5 Water Quality Issues in the Fishing Grounds
Kategori