**3. Importance of the fishery resource in national development**

The fisheries sector plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of Ghana. The benefits derive from fisheries as a country is highly significant to the economy. It is evident from key economic indicators such as employment, livelihood support, poverty reduction and food security, particularly in rural fishing communities leading to rural development and the country at large.

#### **3.1. Food security and protection against malnutrition**

Fish serves as an important source of cheap but quality animal protein, omega 3, fatty acids, vitamins (A, B12, D and E), calcium, iodine, iron, selenium and zinc that are often lacking or under-represented in most human diet [1, 7]. It is consumed in all regions of Ghana, by both the poor and the rich, and in both rural and urban communities. Fish contributes 60% of annual protein intake of Ghanaians [8].

#### **3.2. Revenue for the country**

The fisheries sector accounts for about 4.5% of the GDP and 12% of the agricultural gross domestic product (AGDP). The marine fisheries sector is estimated to generate approximately US \$1 billion in total revenue each year [4, 6].

#### **3.3. Employment**

Over 135,000 fishers are directly employed in Ghana's marine capture fisheries and about 2.6 million people rely on them, including spouses, children, close relatives as well as canoe carvers, input suppliers and office workers for industrial fishing fleets. Fish workers engaged in processing and distribution alone are estimated to be around 500,000 individuals. Artisanal marine fishers alone number about 120,000 workers. The sector has employed approximately about 10% of country's labour force [4].

**5. The need for stock enhancement (prospective species)**

33 million surplus in 1997 to a USD 319 million deficit in 2013 [13].

species indicating full exploited of such species.

dant seasons.

tonnes in 2011 [4].

that monthly incomes from fishing can be minimal during the rest of the year.

Production from marine fisheries has been declining since 2000, from almost 457,000 to 328,000 tonnes in 2016 [3, 13]. In order to sustain the per-capita annual consumption of fish (estimated at around 25 kg), imports have increased substantially in the most recent years, reaching USD 373 million in 2013. As a result, the seafood trade balance moved from a USD

Overview of Marine Stock Enhancement, Restocking and Sea Ranching in Ghana

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.79454

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Sizable catches occur only for a period of 3 months (usually July–September) because of seasonal fluctuations in abundance of small pelagic fish species (especially sardinellas); implying

Currently, Ghana's marine stocks are overexploited by the industrial fleet, leading to decline of harvests from marine fisheries. This precipitous decline of Ghana fish stocks has had dire implications for coastal livelihoods which go beyond economic challenges. Locals at the coast use indigenous methods to harvest which is no or less economic intensive during fish abun-

It is estimated that the fisheries, mostly artisanal, employ over 12,000 fishing vessels, with 70% motorized [3, 13]. This has resulted to increased fishing pressure and high CPUE. The Catch data collated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) (2014) indicate a drastic decline of stocks. Recently, the ministry has recorded no catch data of some

It was reported that the total landings of small pelagic (anchovies, sardinellas, mackerels and horse mackerel) have decreased from 277,000 metric tonnes in 1996 to about 92,000 metric

The Ministry is seeking for sustainable ways to restore depleted stocks and increase production to help meet the country's fish deficit, hence the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

Consequently, declines in fish stocks within Ghana's marine ecosystem will have serious implications on the health and socio-economic of consumers as well as the economy of the nation which jointly depends on contribution of fisheries to the national GDP (4.5%). Reduced nutrition particularly in dependent households, increased levels of poverty and loss of jobs for direct and indirect dependents are some of the consequences likely

Plan has been developed. The potential benefits of this plan include:

• Ensure the survival of stocks threatened by extinction.

• Mitigate losses due to anthropogenic effects.

**6. The way forward and benefits**

• Source as additional catch for commercial and recreational fishermen.

• Rebuild spawning stock biomass for the promotion or acceleration of recovery.

The sector's gender balance is worthy of mention. While men are involved in fishing the actual fishing process, women are engage in postharvest activities such as fish processing, storage and distribution.

#### **3.4. Poverty reduction**

The sector also supports the livelihoods of 10% of Ghana's population of about 29 million people [9]. Over 2 million Ghanaians are dependent on the fisheries sector for their livelihoods including some 135,000 fishers in the marine sector alone, of which 124,000 (or 92%) are artisanal fishers [10, 11].

#### **3.5. Foreign exchange**

Fishery and finfish products are Ghana's most important non-traditional export commodities, accounting for over 50% of revenue from non-traditional export. About 90% of tuna landings are exported mainly to EU countries [12]. Tuna sales alone account for 14% of non-traditional exports (NTEs) from Ghana and are the single largest contributor after horticulture. Fish exports from Ghana are made up of high value tuna (whole, loins and canned), frozen fish (mostly demersal species), shrimps, lobsters, cuttlefish and dried and smoked fish [12].
