The Fish And Fisheries Of The Lower Volta Mangrove Swamps In Ghana

Abstract

The value of mangrove ecosystems and the wide variety of useful functions that they perform have been well documented (Turner, 1977; Robertson, 1986; Singh, 1987; Bailey, 1988). For marine fishes especially, and many aquatic organisms, mangrove provide spawning, nursery and forage grounds for post larvae and juveniles (Weistein, 1979; Shenker and Dean, 1979; Robertson and Duke, 1987; Sasekumar et al., 1992). The dependence of juveniles of many marine species on mangrove ecosystems is attributed to their higher productivity as compared to adjacent marine areas (Robertson, 1986). Mc Hugh (1966) estimated that approximately two thirds of commercially important fishes depend on estuarine habitats for the growth of their young. In fact, good correlation has been found between fish and shrimp yields and the area of mangroves adjacent to identified fishing grounds (Brusher, 1974; Mac Nae, 1974; Turner, 1977; Sasekumar and Chong, 1987). Mangroves also serve a vital link for anadromous and catadromous species that need both fresh and marine environments to complete their life cycle. In spite of their unique physical, biological and economic functions, mangroves and other coastal wetlands are being destroyed with little regard for the consequences. The Lower Volta area in Ghana is no exception. The concern for mangrove loss prompted the implementation of the Lower Volta Mangrove Project (LVMP). The LVMP aimed at collecting base line information that could help in the formulation of management strategies to ensure sustainable utilisation of the mangrove resource for the benefit of the local people who depend on them. This study provides baseline information on the fishery component of the project.