Digital fishing: A saviour of Ghana’s dwindling fishing fortunes
“As Jesus was walking beside the seas of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and his brother, Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen” – (Mathew 4:18).
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This biblical account about the call of Jesus’ first disciples occurred over 2,000 years ago. This shows that fishing is one of the age-long occupations.
Customary with most traditional occupations, the art of fishing is transferred from the older generation to the younger one through observation, imitation, participation and practice.
Figures at the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) indicate that fishermen and their dependants account for 10 per cent of the national population.
It further states that the fisheries sub-sector accounted for about five per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while the country rakes in an estimated $60 million annually as export earnings from fisheries products.
The sector has not only been the source of food for fisherfolk and their families, but also, a source of food security for the country.The rich nutritional value of fish makes it an essential source of animal protein needed for the human body.
Downside of fishing industry
Even though the fisheries sector contributes immensely to national development, the industry has witnessed some dwindling fortunes in the fish stock over the years.
In a recent discussion on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)’s Current Affairs programme, Talking Point, panellists bemoaned the use of illegal fishing methods by fishermen; a tendency that has negatively affected the sector.
Mr Andrew Akiti displaying the fish finder equipment
The National Coordinator for Fisheries Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MFAD), Naval Capt. Emmanuel Kwafo, disclosed that the fish stock declined from 500,000 tonnes in 2010 to 200,000 tonnes in 2015.
He mentioned among other factors, the use of unorthodox methods such as monofilament nets, undersized nets, dynamite and poisonous chemicals by fishermen, as the causes of the 300,000 reduction in the fish stock.
The panellists indicated that robust patrol and monitoring teams were in place to enforce and sanction non-compliant fishermen and that court action had been taken against some of them. He further stated that GH¢ 4 million had been realised from fines in the 2015 agricultural year.
The Fisheries Act of 2002 (Act 625), Fisheries Regulations of 2010 (L.I. 1968), Fisheries Amendment Act of 2014 (Act 880) and Fisheries Amendment Regulations of 2015 (L.I. 2217) are stringent laws and regulations for fisherfolks in the country.
With these watertight systems in place to curb the illegal fishing activities, why is there no end in sight to the practices?
The Vice-President of the National Fish Processors Association (NFPA), Mrs Emelia Abaka, put the blame at the doorstep of politicians. According to her, the interference by politicians, who demand the release of fishermen who fall foul of the law, was a major blow to the fight against illegal fishing practices.
“Personnel from the fisheries commission have their hands tied. Sometimes when culprits are caught up by the law Members of Parliament (MPs) and District Chief Executives (DCEs) will intervene and to ask for their release. “The earlier politicians stayed back and allowed the fishing regulations to be applied, the better for us all,” she said.
Digital Fishing
In 2012, the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), introduced a new paradigm known as “ICT for Sustainable Fishing” to address the challenges of the fishing sub-sector.
The initiative, which was implemented in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and the National Canoe Fishermen Council (NCFC), is expected to help fishermen to locate mature fishes in order to prevent the harvesting of juvenile ones.
It also aims at enhancing communication between fishermen at work, reducing fuel wastage and loss of productive man-hours.
So far, GIFEC has distributed more than 200 fish finders and accessories to 18 landing sites in coastal areas. It has also trained the beneficiary fishermen on how to use the equipment.
This year, plans are advanced to distribute more ICT infrastructure including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Global Systems of Mobile Communication (GSMC) and information kiosks furnished with laptops and accessories, to facilitate the efficiency of the project.
How are the fishermen applying this fish finder technology? Do they have a success story to tell?
Mr Ishmaila Ayitey Otoo, an indigene of Osu, a traditional fishing community in the Greater Accra Region, started full-scale fishing in 1969. He was a lad of 13. He has lived through the period when various fishing methods have been used to hunt for fish. He was filled with joy when he gave a vivid account of the immense benefit the fish finder technology had been to him and other fishers.
“Previously, it was difficult to locate fish and hunt them. Some of us thought the fish had adopted family planning methods, because we could not find them. With the help of this new technology, we are able to locate exactly where the fishes are and how to target them.
“One interesting thing about this technology is that it helps us to mark a spot where fishes are so that we can go back to the location later,” he said.
He added that by the use of the technology, he was able to view the sizes of the fishes and that informed him on which one to target.
The above account by Mr Otoo gives credence to the fact that the fish finder technology is doing the trick for fisherfolk. It has become the biblical star that leads the way for fishers in their search for fish.
But what is MOFAD’s position on the new paradigm?
The Director of MOFAD, Mr Samuel Quaatey, in an interview on the sidelines of an event held on May 9, 2016 to receive four vehicles donated by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), gave thumbs up to the initiative by GIFEC. According to him, the fish finder technology had left giant footprints for the fishing industry.
“Apart from reducing the search time for fish and enhancing communication among fishers, the initiative is quite economical. It reduces fuel wastage, which translates into poverty reduction and increased food security,” he explained.
Conclusion
It is important to scale up the implementation of the “ICT for Sustainable Fishing” initiative to bring on board as many fishermen as possible. This calls for deliberate efforts by the government and stakeholders in the fishing industry. For, it is said that where your mouth is, there your heart also is.
Writer’s email: [email protected]
