Participatory Characterization of Coastal Communities

3.1.7 Assess Status of Critical Coastal Habitats

The Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of Ghana was awarded the contract through a competitive bidding process to conduct an assessment of identified critical coastal habitats in the Western Region. The study covered the areas listed in Table 3. The draft report of the study has been submitted for comments. The final report is expected to be completed in November 2010. Table 3: Identified Critical Habitats in the Western Coastal Districts Habitat type Locations Coastal Islands Dixcove to west of Princesstown Rocky coastal waters Cape Three Points Rocky substrateoutcropping Between Butre and Axim Estuary openings Ankobra and Amansuri, Pra rivers Sand Beach West of Akwidae or West of Ankobra River Rocky Beach Cape Three Points, Princesstown, Axim Area Estuaries West of Princesstown Kpani and Nyila Rivers Lagoons Domunli to west of Bonyere and East of Half Assini Closed wetland saline Belibangara on the Ivory Coast Border Closed wetland freshwater Amansuri Mangroves Upstream Ankobra, Amansuri, Butre rivers Wetland forest peat Amansuri Coastal forest Cape Three Points

3.1.8 Our Coast Publication

The ‘Our Coast’ H ɛn Mpoano publication is a summary of extensive research conducted to ascertain how ecosystems and governance have evolved in the Western Region, to better understand the critical issues in the coastal zones and the present challenges for ecosystem management, and to identify a path forward. The five chapter publication, which will be published in Ghana in November 2010, is a balance of text, graphics and pictures. ‘Our Coast’ sets the stage for a fresh approach to the governance of the coastal districts and the inshore fishing grounds of the Western Region. The publication reviews the long-term changes at the scale of the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and its associated LME; characterizes the defining features and the issues brought by accelerating change in the land and seascape that comprise the Western Region’s coastal zone, current governance system and the core issues to be confronted in coming decades; and suggests a path forward to a more effective and efficient governance system of the coastal zone of the Western Region. 18