Migration isn’t just a phenomenon of birds, fish, and mammalian behemoths; it’s a strategy that is being embraced by artisanal fishers in the Global South to tackle financial uncertainty and poverty while ensuring their livelihoods. Nowhere is this more evident than along the coastline of West Africa, particularly in Ghana. A country known for its rich marine biodiversity, it has seen a significant decline in its small pelagic fishery, particularly catches of species like sardinella, anchovy, and mackerel. Overfishing has pushed these stocks to unsustainable levels, prompting a shift in how local fishers do things (specifically, their fishing practices). Instead of solely relying on traditional methods to capture dwindling small pelagics, some fishers along the Dangme coast have turned their attention to a new target: sharks.
The emergence of a targeted shark fishery in the Dangme communities is closely linked to the arrival of migrant shark fishers from the western region of Ghana. These fishers, largely excluded from decision-making processes initially, have gradually become indispensable in local fisheries co-management, influencing fishing practices and shaping the socio-economic landscape of these communities. But what brings them to the Dangme coastline?
Understanding the dynamics of this emerging fishery requires a multifaceted approach, one that scientist Dr. Kwasi Adu Obirikorang of the Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management was keen to delve into. The lead author of a new study that “sought to characterise the influence of the migrant fishers in the development of the thriving shark fishery in Dangme communities,” data was collected was through key informant interviews, questionnaire administration to 180 randomly selected native and migrant fishers from the selected communities, and observations of fishing practices.
But this isn’t just about data, Adu Obirikorang stresses – it’s about people who make up that data. Behind every number is a fisher grappling with economic uncertainty, adapting to changing circumstances, and striving to provide for their families. By spending hours at landing beaches, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology researcher and a team have not only gotten to know the individuals in this industry better, but documented changes in fishing practices, gear preferences, and species composition – providing stakeholders valuable data for sustainable fisheries management.
Their work has uncovered that the move is not just about accessing new fishing grounds, but the promise of better opportunities. And ‘better opportunities’ might just mean survival, as some escaped congested fishing spaces in their home regions to tap into the markets near urban centers like Accra and Tema. However, the local fishers have realized that the migrants (from regions like the Western Coast of Ghana) bring with them valuable skills and knowledge, influencing local fishing practices and even participating in co-management initiatives. In places like Gabon, Beninese fishers have exchanged boat construction skills for access to fishing grounds, fostering collaboration and mutual benefit. For example, in countries like Mauritania and Gambia, the influx of Ghanaian fishers has led to the adoption of new fishing techniques and gear, including those used for shark capture. From modifying gill nets to employing chumming techniques, fishers are innovating to enhance catch efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
“[Some] native Dangme fishers (35%) have adapted to the decline of the small pelagic fishery by choosing the more transformative approach of changing gears and fishing practices and capturing sharks and other large pelagic fishes. In the context of this study, the Dangme fishers, with the help of the migrants, had fundamentally shifted to a new fishery when the current one was socioeconomically and ecologically unsustainable,” the authors explain. “Many fishers (75%), however, still maintain rather maladaptive approaches, such as increasing fishing efforts towards capturing small pelagics and reducing mesh sizes.” About 20% have also diversified into alternative livelihoods, such as salt mining and crop farming, echoing a broader trend of resilience amidst ecological challenges.
“[Our] study found that shark fishing, largely influenced by the western migrant fishers, is becoming embedded within the fishing culture of Dangme communities. The well-established and thriving local market for shark meat and the lucrative export market for fins are the key factors that have revolutionised the adoption of shark fishing practices along the Dangme coastline of Ghana,” the authors conclude. As demand for shark fins and meat grows, the unregulated nature of the shark fishery poses challenges for conservation as there’s a risk of overexploitation. Beyond being a vital part of marine biodiversity, sharks play crucial ecological roles, from nutrient cycling to controlling invasive species. Yet, their populations are under immense pressure due to overfishing.
“This ‘new’ shark fishery can, however, be classified as a data-poor fishery with no official records on exploitation rates or monitoring data. It is imperative for Ghana to implement monitoring and data collection approaches to generate baseline information on the Dangme shark fishery to inform decision-making and the sustainable management of shark resources. […] Presently, shark fishing forms an integral part of the livelihood strategies of Dangme communities; thus, any future management interventions aimed at conservation must consider the wellbeing of fishers in order to be ethical and effective.”