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IR 2: Science and Technology Applied to Policy and Management
This component area seeks to improve fisheries management processes by engaging scientific research and findings as part of the driving forces and rationale for management. It has
included the establishment and function of a Science and Technical Working Group and numerous trainings for the Fisheries Statistical Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission
and University personnel. Accomplishments this year include considerable training of the Fisheries Commission staff at the Fisheries Statistical Survey Division and UCC staff and
faculty on stock assessment and fisheries data collection. In addition, a strategy to link the research between UCC and FC-FSSD was identified as high priority need to provide needed
research and fish stock assessment for fisheries management. These trainings and the work of the STWG have increased capacity of the fisheries scientific
community in government and universities to process fisheries data and provide useful management recommendations to decision makers.
2.1 Scientific and Technical Working Group
A Scientific and Technical Working Group was formed in Year 1 to provide information on status of small pelagic stocks to inform decision-making.
The Scientific and Technical Working Group STWG completed its annual small pelagic stock assessment review process during a workshop held on April 13 to 15, 2016 in Cape
Coast. The peer review panel was composed of Dr. Bradford Brown and Dr. Hassan Moustahfid from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA.
The overall objective of the peer review workshop was to review and validate the stock assessment report presented by the STWG on the status of the stock of small pelagic fish in
Ghana. The panel shared their experiences on stock assessment and provided input regarding appropriate methods based on existing fisheries data available in Ghana
The review panel endorsed the stock assessment findings which demonstrated that 2014 fishing mortality rate for the Sardinella fishery is 0.74 instead of the ideal of 0.4, an indicator
of the overexploited nature of the stock. In addition the panel agreed that the rebuilding biomass target is adequate, however it may change due to the influenced of rising sea surface
water temperature and declining upwelling forces. The panel further recommended additions to the 2015 data and update the stock assessment. The panel proposed that the STWG could
become a technical arm of the Fisheries Commission after the tenure of the SFMP to help provide up to date scientific advice on the status of fish stocks and propose efficient
management measures for sustainability. The panel also endorsed the proposal by the STWG to close the fishery during the month of
August during the highest upwelling index in Ghanaian waters. This is also the peak spawning season for Sardinellas and other small pelagics and the period when processors
record the most economic losses due to low prices and the poor nature of fish flesh around this time. A seasonal closure of all fishing fleets except tuna in August was proposed by the
STWG and accepted by the review panel as the major management measure needed to help revive the declining status of small pelagics. The key weaknesses and gaps in data were
reviewed and listed. The panel concluded that a “no action” measure to fisheries management will lead to a total collapse of the small pelagics stocks of Ghana. Immediate
action needs to be taken to revive the fish stocks and the major measure will be to establish a closed season in August which will include all fleets except the tuna fleet.
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2.2 ICT Innovations for Effective Fisheries Management
