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Recent Submissions

  • Results of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Saltpond Offshore Programme -Plankton Baseline Study

    Yaqub, B.H. (2013)
    A report on plankton baseline studies conducted in the Saltpond Oil Field, Ghana.
  • Species Diversity and Relative Abundance of Fisheries Resources Found in Beach Seine along the Central Coast of Ghana

    Aggrey-Fynn, J.; Sackey-Mensah, R. (2012)
    The diversity and relative species abundance of fisheries resources were studied from Winneba to Cape Coast on the central coast of Ghana during December 2007 to May 2009. Samples of organisms were collected at random from beach seine landings during the study period. The fishes were counted and identified to the family and species levels. Ecological indices such as Shannon-Wiener diversity index, equitability and Sørenson’s similarity index were used to analyse the data. Specimens from Winneba, Saltpond and Cape Coast comprise 56 species belonging to 30 families. Carangidae, Haemulidae, Clupeidae and Sciaenidae were some of the families, where key species occurred during the study. The relative abundance of key organisms in the beach seine landings include Chloroscombrus chrysurus (26.0%) in 2007, Brachydeuterus auritus (22.8%) in 2008, Ilisha africana (14.7%) in 2008, Sardinella aurita (13.1%) in 2009 and Selene dorsalis (11.2%) in 2007. The organisms that were in low relative abundance were Acanthurus monroviae, Penaeus notialis, Galeoides decadactylus and Trichiurus lepturus. Shannon-Wiener diversity index, estimated in the study, ranged from 2.54 to 2.83. Species equitability range was 0.67–0.77, and the Sørenson’s similarity estimated ranged was 0.66–0.69. The estimations of fish species diversity and equitability were higher (H’ = 2.83; J’ = 0.77) during the 2009 study in the central coast of Ghana. The similarity indicators in the various paired periods during the study showed considerable similarity in the organisms that were exploited by the beach seine in the area. The study explains the linkage between the diversity and relative species abundance of the coastal fisheries resources and offshore marine resources in Ghana, and the need to regulate beach seine operations in order not to over exploit the juvenile stocks.
  • Inception Report The Preparatory Survey on the Project for Fisheries Pormotion in Republic of Ghana

    Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (JICA, 2013)
    Challenges the fishing ports of Ghana, notably Sekondi Port include the congestion and the deteriorating efficiency due to the increase of users and decreasing quality of catch due to the shortage and ageing of landing facilities, fish handling sheds and ice-making facilities. The Government of Ghana made a request to Japan for an extension of the wharf, construction of additional breakwater, cold storage and ice-making facility at Sekondi Fishing Port in 2010 in order to overcome these challenges. In response the Government of Japan conducted a survey for the project to promote efficiency and improvement of Ghana's fishery sector. The survey was to examine the need, relevance and urgency of the proposed project.
  • RÉUNION DU GROUPE DE TRAVAIL RÉGIONAL AEP ET DE L’ATELIER SUR LA MÉTHODOLOGIE D’ÉVALUATION DU RISQUE ÉCOLOGIQUE (SUD-OUEST DE L’OCÉAN INDIEN)

    FAO (FAO, 2009)
    La première réunion du Groupe de travail régional AEP s’est tenue du 27 au 30 janvier 2009 à Mombasa, Kenya, en même temps qu’un Atelier sur la méthodologie d’évaluation du risque écologique. Vingt participants des pays du sud-ouest de l’océan indien (SWIO), du Projet des pêches du sud-ouest de l’océan Indien (SWIOFP), du Projet sur les larges écosystèmes marins des courants d’Agulhas et de Somali (ASCLME), du Comité scientifique de la Commission des pêches du sud-ouest de l’océan Indien, de l’Unité d’exécution de la Convention de Nairobi/PNUD, de la Commission de l’Union africaine et de la FAO. Le Groupe de travail régional (GTR) est une structure d’exécution placée sous le Projet AEP-Nansen GCP/INT/003/NOR qui sert de forum pour la formation sur l’évaluation du risque écologique qui est la méthodologie utilisée pour l’identification et la hiérarchisation des problèmes de gestion. Les principaux objectifs de la réunion et de l’atelier étaient de discuter et de faciliter les processus et activités clés pour la mise en œuvre de l’approche écosystémique de la gestion des pêcheries dans la région du sud-ouest de l’océan Indien y compris les modalités pour la formation et le fonctionnement des groupes de travail régionaux et nationaux. Il a ét é expliqué que pour être à même d’atteindre les objectifs pour la mise en œuvre d’une approche écosystémique des pêches au niveau national, certaines structures clés doivent être mises en place y compris les groupes de travail nationaux avec les représentants des parties prenantes clés dans une pêcherie donnée qui dirigeront le processus. Un aperçu des principaux concepts et le processus de la méthodologie sur l’évaluation du risque écologique ont été clarifiés. Les participants ont été aussi initiés à la prép aration des rapports de référence AEP à utiliser comme contribution initiale pour le travail su r l’approche écosystémique des pêches. Il a été spécifié que la préparation du rapport doit être menée par des experts nationaux et internationaux et supervisée par le Groupe de travail national. Pour les exercices, les participants ont travaillé dans trois sous-groupes formés pendant la réunion; chaque sous-groupe a sélectionné un président qui a modéré les discussions et un rapporteur. Les participants ont exprimé leur satisfaction pour le développement d’une stratégie de communication pour le projet et particulièrement l’utilisation de l’approche participative.
  • Report of the EAF REGIONAL TASK GROUP MEETING AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY WORKSHOP (SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN)

    FAO (FAO, 2009)
    The first meeting of the South West Indian Ocean EAF Regional Task Group (RTG) was held in Mombasa, Kenya, from 27 to 30 January 2009, together with an ecological risk assessment methodology workshop. It was attended by 20 partic ipants from the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) countries, the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP), the Agulhas and Somali Currents Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) project, the Scientific Committee of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Nairobi Convention Implementation Unit, the African Union Commission and FAO. The RTG is an implementation structure under the EAF-Nansen project GCP/INT/003/NOR and serves as the forum for training in ecological risk assessment that is the methodology used for the identification and prioritization of issues requiring management attention. The main objectives of the meeting and workshop we re to discuss and facilitate key processes and activities for the implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management in the South West Indian Ocean region including the modalities for the formation and functioning of the RTG and National Task Groups (NTGs). It was explained that, to be able to achieve the objectives of implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries at the national level, certain key structures have to be in place including the NTG with representatives of key stakeholders in a given fishery and that would take the lead in the process. An overview of the key concepts and process of the ecological risk assessment methodology were clarified. Participants were also introduced to the preparation of EAF baseline reports to be used as initial input for the work on ecosystems approach to fisheries. It was explained that the preparation of the report is to be led by national and regional experts and overseen by the NTG. For the exercises the participants worked in three subgroups formed during the meeting with each group selecting a chairman who moderate d the discussions and a rapporteur. The participants expressed satisfaction with the development of a communication strategy for the project and especially with the participatory approach used.
  • Marine Fisheries Research Annual Report 2012

    Marine Fisheries Research Division (2013)
    The 2012 Marine Fisheries Research Division Annual Report
  • Survey of the Demersal Fish Resources of the outer shelf and slope off Ghana

    EAF NANSEN PROJECT (2010)
    This survey focused on the outer shelf and deep water slope off Ghana and the catch-distribution analyses were therefore performed for four depth strata, outer shelf (< 100 m), upper slope (100-300 m) mid slope (300-600 m) and lower slope (>600 m). In the analyses the “Demersal” group includes commercially important families as Sciaenidae, Haemulidae (=Pomadasyidae), Serranidae, Sparidae and Lutjanidae, and especially in deeper waters the Merluccidae, Macrouridae and Moridae. The Pelagic group includes Engraulidae, Clupeidae, Carangidae, Scombridae, Sphyraenidae, Gempylidae and Trichiuridae (the latter family is actually mainly benthopelagic). For the analysis the “other” group includes all species not accounted for in the groups listed.
  • Marine magnetic data processing in equatorial regions off Ghana

    Buchanan, S.K; Scrutton, R,A; Edwards, R,A; Whitmarsh, R,B (RAS, 1996)
    Geophysics
    Total field magnetic values recorded during a survey be RRS Charles Darwin off Ghana yielded large track-crossover errors of up to 120 nT (RMS value of 58.7 nT), which masked the weak magnetic anomalies in this equatorial region. The heading effect of the ship's magnetic field and strong diurnal variation in the Earth's field are likely causes of the errors. A heading effect experiment shows differences of up to 30 nT for Charles Darwin on different headings, which have been corrected for. The diurnal variation has been calculated by using the magnetic field observations themselves, because observatories are either too distant or were inoperative at the time of the survey. A method that uses the anomalies corrected for heading effect and differences at track crossovers was found to produce an acceptable curve, with an amplitude of 120 nT and a shape similar to that of equatorial observatories. Fully corrected anomalies have crossover errors of up to only 40 nT with an RMS value of 17.5 nT. These anomalies reveal a linear magnetic anomaly low along the continental slope off Ghana.
  • Structure and Dynamics of demersal assemblages on the continental shelf and upper slope off Ghana, West Africa

    Koranteng, K.A (Inter-Research, 2001)
    Marine ecology progress series
    Using two-way indicator species and detrended correspondence analysis, species on the continental shelf and upper slope of Ghana were classified into 6assemblages. The structure of the assemblages is determined primarily by depth and type of sediment on the seabed. There are clear faunal discontinuities around 30-40, 100, and 200m depth. The dynamics of the assemblages are influenced by physico-chemical parameters of the water masses, mainly temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen, which are periodically modified by the seasonal coastal upwelling that occurs in the area. The observed changes in the composition and relative importance of species in the assemblages can be related to increased fishing activity and environmental forcing.
  • Earthworm and maggots meals as potential fishmeal replacement

    Yaqub, H.B. (1997)
    Three meals were formulated from the earthworm (Endrilus eugineae) and maggot (Musca domestica) and fish (Engraulis encrosicolus). These meals were evaluated as a potential replacement for fishmeal. This is because fishmeal could be very expensive at times. The three meals were used in feeding the catfish (Heterobranchus isopterus) fry for 30 days. The study was conducted in 1991 at the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Farm, University of Science and Technology. Two replicates were done using four hapas in each replicate. Each hapa was stocked with 50 fry and fed. Those in the fourth hapa were not fed to ascertain the effect of supplementary feeding on the growth of the fish. Weight increment was found to be less in the fourth hapa than the other three hapas, though the difference was not significant at the 5% level. On the basis of weight increment, the best growth performance was produced by maggot meal. It was followed by earthworm and fish meals respectively. Based on food conversion ratio maggot meal was again the best, followed by earthworm and fish meals respectively. The importance of supplementary feeding was evidenced in the higher weight increment in fish that were fed than those that were not fed. Maggot and earthworm meals could therefore be a whole or partial replacement for fishmeal. The difficulty in the harvesting or rearing maggots and earthworms may however reduce this potential.
  • Obervations on the commercial light fishing operation in Ghana.

    Quartey, R.; Bannerman, P. (2005)
    Light fishing operations (LFO) in Ghana is concentrated in the three major coastal municipalities of Greater Accra (Tema), Central (Mumford & Elmina) and Western (Sekondi) Regions; these areas have the port facilities for landing of the catch by the larger inshore vessels that operate the purse seine fishery in Ghana and which predominantly operate the light attraction. Currently there are about 250 registered inshore vessels in the country whose sizes range between 39 – 60 feet , only a small fraction are actually working at the moment due to problems with spare parts and operations. Light attraction is the technique of aggregating fish by artificial light; and light fishing is the process of fishing the attracted fish by hooking, gill-netting or by any other gear (P.P. Dinglasan, 1972). The light source may be by means of a fire torch, pressure kerosene lamp, gas lit lamp and battery or generator assisted incandescent lamp (FAO Training Series, 1988). Currently the light fishing operations in Ghana use mainly the purse seine gear with a small size generator powering the incandescent lamp. They are minimally mechanized using fish finders, a two-way radio for communication and a diesel driven winch drum to facilitate the search and hauling of the catch.
  • Improvements in the Ghanaian tuna statistics system

    Quartey, R.; Bannerman, P. (2005)
    Light fishing operations (LFO) in Ghana is concentrated in the three major coastal municipalities of Greater Accra (Tema), Central (Mumford & Elmina) and Western (Sekondi) Regions; these areas have the port facilities for landing of the catch by the larger inshore vessels that operate the purse seine fishery in Ghana and which predominantly operate the light attraction. Currently there are about 250 registered inshore vessels in the country whose sizes range between 39 – 60 feet , only a small fraction are actually working at the moment due to problems with spare parts and operations. Light attraction is the technique of aggregating fish by artificial light; and light fishing is the process of fishing the attracted fish by hooking, gill-netting or by any other gear (P.P. Dinglasan, 1972). The light source may be by means of a fire torch, pressure kerosene lamp, gas lit lamp and battery or generator assisted incandescent lamp (FAO Training Series, 1988). Currently the light fishing operations in Ghana use mainly the purse seine gear with a small size generator powering the incandescent lamp. They are minimally mechanized using fish finders, a two-way radio for communication and a diesel driven winch drum to facilitate the search and hauling of the catch.
  • Diversity and stability of demersal species assemblages in the Gulf of Guinea

    Koranteng, K.A. (West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2001)
    West African Journal of Applied Ecology
    The structure of demersal fish assemblages on the continental shelf and upper continental slope of the Gulf of Guinea is described. Community structure is determined primarily by depth and type of sediment on the seabed. Changes in the composition of the identified species assemblages over a 25-year period are examined. The dynamics of the assemblages are influenced by physico-chemical parameters of the water masses, mainly temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen, which are periodically modified by the seasonal coastal upwelling that occurs in the western Gulf of Guinea. Increased irresponsible fishing operations (like the use of explosives) that lead to habitat alteration and other anthropogenic activities like oil and gas exploration which have the potential to cause environmental changes pose a threat to biodiversity in continental shelf waters of the Gulf of Guinea. industrial trawling in coastal waters and environmental forcing conjointly influenced the changes in the composition and relative importance of species in the assemblages.
  • Report of the First ODINAFRICA - II Ghana National Workshop

    Quartey, R.; Yaqub, H.B.; Dovlo, E.K.; Amartey, P.N.A.; Koranteng, K.A.; Amador, K. (Marine Fisheries Research Division, 2002-11)
    The first ODINAFRICA-II National Workshop was held at the auditorium of the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI), Accra, Ghana on 15th and 16th August 2002. The aims of the workshop were to: Launch the ODINAFRICA II project in Ghana, inaugurate the National Oceanographic Data and Information Centres (GODC), update information available on the oceanographic activities of institutions and organizations in Ghana, adopt Data Policies and Procedures, and define the roles and responsibilities of the GODC.
  • Seasonal and Long-Term Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Demersal Fishery Resources in Continental Shelf Waters off Ghana, West Africa

    Koranteng, K.A. (2001)
    Between 1963 and 1990, the abundance of demersal fishery resources in Ghana’s shelf waters underwent significant changes whereby the relative importance of major species changed in every trawl survey conducted in the area. Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) dominated this ecosystem for nearly twenty years (from early 1970s to late 1980s) displacing bigeye grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus) as the most abundant species.The density of all demersal species (excluding triggerfish) assessed in bottom trawl surveys decreased from 50 kg ha-1 in 1963-64 to 32.4 kg ha-1 in 1990. The lowest density of 22.5 kg ha-1 occurred between 1973 and 1977. Density of triggerfish was high between 1973 and 1982, reaching a value of 28 kg ha-1 between depths of 30 and 50 m. Its density subsequently declined and by 1990, the species had virtually disappeared from the study area. In the period of decline of triggerfish, the density of rays, soles and cuttlefish increased.The observed changes in relative importance and density of species is attributed in part to the proliferation of the triggerfish in this ecosystem and also to changes in the marine climate over the period in question.
  • Study of the structure and dynamics of demersal fish assemblages on the continental shelf and upper slop off Ghana, West Africa

    Koranteng, K.A. (1998-09-27)
    Using two-way indicator species analysis and detrended correspondence analysis, species on the continental shelf and upper slope of Ghana were classified into six assemblages. The structure of the assemblages is determined primarily by depth and type of sediment on the seabed. There are clear faunal discontinuities around 30-40 m, 100 m and 200 m depth. The dynamics of the assemblages are influenced by physico-chemical parameters of the water masses, mainly temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen which are periodically modified by the seasonal coastal upwelling that occurs in the area. The observed changes in the composition and relative importance of species in the assemblages can be related to increased fishing activity and environmental forcing.
  • Preliminary report on the moratorium on the use of FADS by purse seiners in tuna fishing in Ghana

    Bannerman, P. (Accra : Marine Fisheries Research Division, 2000)
    ICCAT recommended a restricting periodically the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) by Tuna Purse seine vessels in the Atlantic Ocean. This recommendation was based on recent scientific evidence indicating the extensive destruction of juvenile tunas by this method of fishing. Ghana participated in the moratorium during the months of November 1999 to January 2000. A total of 5 Purse seine vessels operated from Tema, spending 238 days at sea with observers deployed onboard to monitor their fishing activities. Preliminary results show a reduction of approximately 40% in overall catches of the principal tuna species as compared to the same period in 1998-1999, with a likely decrease in quantities (weight) of the juvenile tunas taken by the Purse seines.
  • Management of conflict in tropical fisheries : Ghana final report.

    Bannerman, P. (Accra : Marine Fisheries Research Division, 1998)
  • Information on fisheries in Ghana

    Koranteng, K.A.; Hutchful, G.; Tetebo, A.Y. (Accra : Directorate of Fisheries, 2004-04)
  • Focus on the Marine fisheries Research Division

    Marine Fisheries Research Division [CA] (Accra : Marine Fisheries Research Division, 2002)