New Project Targets West African Fish Stock Decline From 900,000 to 400,000 Tonnes

A new regional initiative, the 'Fisheries Without Borders' (FWB) project, has launched to address the rapid decline in fish stocks. This project, which includes Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin, seeks to improve marine resource management across national boundaries. It directly responds to falling fish harvests and concerns over coastal community livelihoods.

Ghana’s marine fish production has fallen significantly, reducing from 900,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes, according to Professor F.K.E. Nunoo, Ghana’s country lead for the project. This sharp decrease threatens food security and the economic well-being of thousands of Ghanaians. Fragmented policies and weak enforcement across borders contribute to this ongoing problem.

This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader economic narrative regarding environmental sustainability and natural resource management. The decline in fish stocks impacts the agriculture and commodities sector, affecting small-scale fishers and the national economy. It highlights the need for regional cooperation to protect shared ecological assets and secure future food supplies. Previous efforts have often struggled with coordinating policies across West African nations.

Professor Nunoo, from the University of Ghana, articulated the gravity of the situation. He stated, “There were times we got 900,000 tonnes from marine fisheries. Now we are at 400,000 and it is still going down.” This statement underscores the urgent need for intervention and effective, coordinated strategies. The project is funded by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors through the Blue Convergence Fund.

Moving forward, the project aims to develop more effective policy frameworks and strengthen climate resilience in coastal communities. Stakeholders will observe how the FWB project integrates local insights and traditional knowledge into its strategies. Decision-makers and communities will look for signs of improved marine ecosystems and increased fish populations as the project progresses from 2026 to 2027.

The project brings together diverse groups including fishers, scientists, regulators, and community leaders. The University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences and the Wildlife and Human Resource Organisation are Ghana’s implementing partners. It builds on similar stakeholder dialogues held in Benin and Nigeria.

Participants at the launch event also advocated for greater inclusion of women in fisheries governance. They requested mandatory representation for women in decision-making bodies. Additionally, they highlighted the need for improved access to cold storage and fish processing facilities. These facilities would require affordable financing to become widely accessible.

The importance of documenting traditional ecological knowledge, especially from older women, was also stressed. This knowledge is seen as an underutilised resource for managing marine environments. Representatives from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) also referenced the new EPA Act. They indicated it provides stronger legal backing for climate action and environmental protection. The Fisheries Commission and the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) endorsed the project's regional approach.

The successful implementation of this initial phase in Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin could lead to expansion across other West African countries. This expansion would further strengthen regional efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources. The economic health of coastal communities relies heavily on these vital fishing grounds.