Assessing the Impact of the Closed Fishing Season on Small Pelagic Fish Stock Dynamics in Ghana.

Document Type

Presentation

Date of Original Version

3-27-2026

Abstract

Ghana's closed fishing season, which is introduced to enable the recovery of the small pelagic fish stock, has implications for the fisheries resource but little is definitively known about the impact of this method on the fish populations and the local people. Between 1990 and 2023, this study examined the fishing closed season's effects on fishing effort, catch per unit of effort and catch, as well as a discussion about how the policy was perceived by the fishermen and other parties involved. The primary data were derived from 386 fishers and in-depth interviews with 11 stakeholders across four coastal communities in Sekondi, Keta, Jamestown and Apam. Secondary data on catch and effort were obtained from the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission. Interrupted Time Series (ITS) and ARDL models were used to analyse quantitative trends, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. The results show that although there were marginal improvements in CPUE in some years following the policy, overall fish stocks remain under pressure due to persistent fishing effort, especially after the closure period. Fishing effort continues to show a strong negative effect on catches; a 1% increase in effort reduced aggregate catch by 2.61% before the policy and 1.94% after. Many people involved in the fishery understand that a closed season is put in place, but criticized its timing and lack of consultation doesn't fit in with local conditions. The research concludes that a one-month seasonal closure is insufficient for stock recovery without addressing overcapacity and enforcement. It is recommended that the design and implementation of the policy be adaptive, inclusive of fishers’ ecological knowledge, and integrated with measures to moderate post-closure fishing effort in order to improve long-term sustainability.

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