Seidu Issah
Other projects
24 Aug 2016
Combining Research and Community Education to Conserve Odonata and Freshwater Habitats in Southern Ghana
3 Apr 2018
Freshwater Habitats and Odonata Conservation: Research and Community Education in Pra Basin, Southern Ghana
Ghanaian elasmobranch populations are under high fishing pressure as a result of the current spate of unregulated fishing activities and the high demand for shark products. This project aims to characterise the artisanal fisheries targeting EDGE sharks and rays in Ghana. Specifically, the project seeks to assess composition, historical and current distribution, stock status, population parameters, trade and socio-economic characteristics of EDGE sharks in small scale fisheries in Western Ghana. A major setback of shark conservation is the lack of personnel actively involved in researching the plight of these species. Thus, this project will train university students and local fishers and engage them actively in our landing site data collection exercise and further increase the understanding of the local communities to the threats facing sharks.
Team measuring a Mako Shark.
Elasmobranch fisheries are key to the livelihoods of many of the poorest Ghanaian coastal communities, providing both sustenance and income. Therefore, Ghanaian elasmobranch populations are under high fishing pressure as a result of the current spate of unregulated fishing activities and the high demand for shark products. Due to the life history traits of elasmobranchs, many species are highly vulnerable to overexploitation (Dulvy et al. 2014). That is the case for the majority of the species classified as Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) sharks and rays. An alarming proportion of EDGE sharks are on the verge of extinction, as most of them are not given much conservation attention worldwide (https://www.edgeofexistence.org).
In Ghana, reports from artisanal fishers suggest that sawfishes have not been observed or captured for more than two decades and that there have been remarkable declines in other EDGE species, however there is no scientific data to validate these claims. This lack of information impedes the development of comprehensive conservation strategies to protect elasmobranch populations in Ghana. Consequently, this project will be the first study that aims to characterise the artisanal fisheries targeting EDGE sharks and rays in Ghana. Specifically, the project will provide important biological and ecological information on EDGE sharks in small scale fisheries in Ghana. This information will allow us to produce an action plan for the conservation of these species. This project will further equip local volunteer and university students with shark identification and landing site monitoring skills. This will ensure that long-term research capacity is built to aid shark conservation in Ghana in future. Lastly, the project will further draw attention to the plight of sharks and rays through community education and awareness creation campaigns. This will increase the understanding of the local communities to the threats facing elasmobranchs and marine ecosystems.
Header: Team leader interacting with a fisherman.