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3.3.2 Kpone Katamanso District
One landing beach was studied in the Kpone Katamanso District. The rationale was to cover as many districts to be able to learn of disparities, if any, of the mode of operations and to
access how the fishing practices are faring there. Two fishermen and two fish mongers were interviewed from the Kpone-on- sea landing beach.
Demographic Characteristics Gender
All the fishermen boatcanoe owners in this district were males while the fish processors and the mongers were women.
Age The ages of the all the respondents ranged from 32 years to 45 years.
Education Educational level was low for all the fishermen with highest classroom educational
qualification not exceeding the Middle school level. Time spend at sea depends on the type of vessel used. The local canoes spend between six
hours and one day. In extreme cases, they may spend up to two days. Ice is carried along to preserve fish whenever they intend to stay overnight.
The period of highest fish landings was given as July to September and July to December. The major type of fish landed during this period is kankama, antebo, saman, tuna, mackerel
and African moonfish. It takes not more than two hours to evacuate the catches and sell off the fish in normal times. During the bumper harvest the time may be prolonged but no fish is
discarded as having gone bad. Processing Haulage and Marketing
Fish smoking is the main fish processing practice in this community. All kinds of fishes are smoked but the commonest among them are the mackerels, anchovies, sardines, African
moonfish, doctor fish and sole. Fish salting drying is the second most important fish processing practice. As a matter of
principles in the business, no fish is considered wasted. Any ones showing signs of early
deterioration is quickly salted and processed into ‘momoi’. Designated marketing centers for the fish processors in this community are Techiman,
Takoradi, Kumasi and Denu. Fish haulage is by small and large trucks. The packaging is done in big baskets and sometimes aluminum bowls. They are securely covered with brown
paper and tied up. The women may or may not accompany the processed fish to the marketing centers. When
fish has to be transported without the processors, the latter follow up later or drivers are
instructed to deliver them to their ‘buyers, usually called ‘customers’. There are usually no losses in the transportation and handling at the delivery centers.
3.3.3 NingoPampram District
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