**6. The way forward and benefits**

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 to emanate from the current situation – declining fish stocks in Ghana [14]. Collectively, the presence of these consequences limits Ghana's ability to achieve some of the sustainable development goals, particularly SDGs 1, 2 and 14. However, to prevent or minimize the impacts precipitating from declining marine fish species in Ghana, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has put in place many measures including increased interest in aquaculture, (the National Committee on Aquaculture has been formed), equipping monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) section of the Fisheries Scientific and Survey Division with necessary equipment and the establishment of co-management to enhance voluntary compliance to fisheries regulations in Ghana. Nonetheless, the notion of stock enhancement, though, a management tool in fisheries management has not been given the needed attention in the context of Ghanaian fisheries regardless of its success stories in other fishing countries (such as Japan, Australia and USA). For instance, stock enhancement helped to revived Hokkaido Scallop fishery in Japan [15], improved the stocking programmes in Black bream fishery in Australia [16] as well as supported the Coho salmon fishery in Japan [17], which was lost to habitat degradation. Significantly, stock enhancement helps to optimize harvests by overcoming recruitment overfishing to augment the natural supply of juveniles. Though, there are no clear objectives centred on stock enhancement in the MoFAD Management Plan (2015–2019), objectives 2 and 4, which categorically states that *(i) to ensure that fish stocks within the marine waters of Ghana are exploited within biologically acceptable levels and (ii) to protect marine habitats and biodiversity* provide an opportunity for the application of stock enhancement in Ghana using certain key fish species based on best scientific information available. Nonetheless, for the objectives of stock enhancement to be achieved, certain areas need to be strengthened, for instance, fish stock assessment and modeling, institutional framework, adaptive management, 'clear cut' fishery management perspective and involvement of stakeholders in planning and execution.

**7.2. The socio-economic and institutional aspects of stock enhancement and** 

In other parts of the world, successful stock enhancement and sea ranching programmes are often run by cooperatives and the private sector [18, 19] therefore, involvement of NGOs and other private sector fishery business will go a long way to ensure the revival of the fish stock through sea ranching. This programme can raise awareness of the importance of fishery management among stakeholders, resulting in increased willingness to accept fishing effort

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

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

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A promising synergy between capture fisheries and aquaculture is the opportunity to apply hatchery technology to restore and augment some coastal fisheries through the release of cultured juveniles [20]. The aquaculture sector in Ghana is developing which currently contribute to 11% to total fish production [3]. The sector needs to consider mariculture activities, which will be beneficial to stock enhancement and restocking programme in the

Fish stocks in Ghanaian waters are declining. There is therefore the need to urgently rebuild the stocks through marine stock enhancement and restocking. This will ensure sustainable livelihood, increase fisherman's income, reduce poverty, ensures food security and promote national development. Species to be used for restocking is a major problem since the biology

Department of Fisheries and Water Resources, School of Natural Resources, University of

[1] Asiedu B, Nunoo FKE, Iddrisu S. Prospects and sustainability of aquaculture develop-

ment in Ghana, West Africa. Cogent Food and Agriculture. 2017;**3**:1349531

Berchie Asiedu\*, Gyamfua Afriyie and Samuel Kwaku Konney Amponsah

\*Address all correspondence to: berchieasiedu@yahoo.com

Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana

**restocking**

controls [20].

country.

**8. Conclusion**

**Author details**

**References**

**7.3. Aquaculture consideration**

of the existing species is poorly understood.

Stock enhancement when practiced in Ghana particularly within the marine capture fisheries, which has exhibited gradual decline over the years, will not only ensure that enough fish stock exist for both current and future generations but maintain or increase its contribution to the national economy. Furthermore, the contribution of marine capture fisheries to youth employment will be maintained for decades. However, there is the need to cautiously preserve existing stock while aiming at restoring and increasing the harvest level of these stocks using cultured fishes.
