Evaluation of the shark fisheries along the Coastline of Ghana, West Africa

Sekey, Wonder; Obirikorang, Kwasi Adu; Alimo, Tabitha Adinorkwor; Soku, Martin; Acquah, Benjamin; Gyampoh, Benjamin Apraku; Adjei-Boateng, Daniel; Asare-Ansah, Oparebea; Ashiagbor, George; Kassah, Jemimah Etornam

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102434

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…data) have noted that prices for fins have increased in West Africa as a result of demand paralleled with an increasing scarcity in supply, particularly of large fins from large animals. While most fishers did not appear to know details of what might influence fin prices in Angola, we note that, similarly to Ghana (Sekey et al, 2022), shark and ray products are dependent on the geographical location of the market, with higher prices within the city. Differences in the value of shark and ray meat between Angola and Ghana are apparent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…The use of cheap monofilament nets expanded across West Africa a few decades ago and has been linked to the decline in elasmobranch populations (e.g. sawfishes, Downing & Leeney, 2018; Sekey et al, 2022). Managing solutions for increasing pressure on species captured by indiscriminate gear can be challenging (Aylesworth et al, 2018; Reuter et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Higher market prices are reported from India and range between $US 24.13–26.82 per kg for small fin sizes, up to $US 80.45 per kg for large fins, and with guitarfish fins ranging between $US 29.49–107.26 (Tyabji et al, 2022). Similarly, in Ghana, dried shark fins are sold at prices between $US 8.7–104.0 per kg, averaging $US 38.4 per kg (Sekey et al, 2022). It is surprising that fins in the UAE, one of the top shark fin exporters in the world (Jabado & Spaet, 2017), are sold cheaper than in India or in some West African countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, in Ghana, dried shark fins are sold at prices between $US 8.7-104.0 per kg, averaging $US 38.4 per kg (Sekey et al, 2022). It is surprising that fins in the UAE, one of the top shark fin exporters in the world (Jabado & Spaet, 2017) (Sekey et al, 2022), shark and ray products are dependent on the geographical location of the market, with higher prices within the city. Differences in the value of shark and ray meat between Angola and Ghana are apparent.…”

Section: Declines In Angolan Elasmobranch Catches Have Been Attributedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences in the value of shark and ray meat between Angola and Ghana are apparent. In Ghana, high market prices for shark meat (up to $US 10 per kg) have been attributed to increased demand for other fish sources as a result of declining pelagic fish stocks (Sekey et al, 2022). These stand in contrast to notably lower shark meat prices in Angola.…”

Section: Declines In Angolan Elasmobranch Catches Have Been Attributedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

Soares,

Jabado

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Small‐scale fisheries ensure food security and employment in Angolan coastal communities. These dynamic, widespread fisheries remain mostly unregulated, with limited data available despite their likely significant impact on marine megafauna. We used an interview‐based survey to investigate local fisher interactions with elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and gather information on utilization, trade and perceptions. All fishers (n = 83) landed elasmobranchs. Most fishers considered sharks as bycatch (74.7%, n = 62), while 100% targeted rays (Order Myliobatiformes), and 62.8% (n = 52) targeted guitarfishes (Order Rhinopristiformes). Over 80% of fishers reported declining catches and sizes of elasmobranchs over the last 30 years, raising concerns about the sustainability of these fisheries. Utilization and trade routes varied depending on elasmobranch products, with exports to China (fins) and local market sales (meat). Specifically, 8.4% (n = 5) of fishers confirmed meat and fin exports to China (4.8%, n = 3). The protection of sharks was considered by 32.5% (n = 30) of respondents, while 21.7% (n = 18) believed only certain shark species should be protected. Most respondents reported that rays (80.5%, n = 67) and guitarfishes (61%, n = 51) should not be protected. Regarding the ban on fishing, none considered it for ray species, with only 6.1% (n = 5) supporting this idea for guitarfishes. We highlight the lack of elasmobranch‐specific conservation measures and the need for a multi‐pronged approach to inform policy. Considering the scale of these fisheries, management actions need to be urgently developed and implemented to ensure the sustainability of elasmobranch fisheries while securing the livelihoods of coastal communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Declines In Angolan Elasmobranch Catches Have Been Attributedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Declines In Angolan Elasmobranch Catches Have Been Attributedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

Soares,

Jabado

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Documenting perceptions and misconceptions of shark conservation among students in Ghanaian coastal communities within the context of shark tourism

Amponsah

2024

Journal of Tourism Theory and Research

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In Ghana, students have rarely been engaged in shark conservation programs. The study aimed to provide the perceptions and misconceptions about sharks among students in Ghana. From the Western region of Ghana, two senior high schools were visited from March to June 2023, and 111 questionnaires were administered to them with the assistance of a resident teacher. Most of these students believe that i) sharks do not eat humankind as food, ii) fishing activities do not affect shark behavior, iii) the decline in fish does not affect the shark population, and iv) fishermen in Ghana face a lot of shark attacks. On perceptions, most of the students perceived that i) shark fishing should not be stopped, ii) shark ecotourism will yield more money than shark fishing, and iii) MPAs will conserve shark population in Ghana. From the study, it was evident that knowledge and attitudes showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.61). Therefore, incorporating shark related topics into the curricula of schools, taking students on educational tours to the fishing communities, and engaging them in outreach programs will enlighten their knowledge of sharks and foster their awareness of shark conservation and shark ecotourism in Ghana.

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Evaluation of the shark fisheries along the Coastline of Ghana, West Africa

Cited by 2 publications

References 30 publications

Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

Fisher perceptions of catch and trade of sharks and rays in Angolan small‐scale fisheries

Documenting perceptions and misconceptions of shark conservation among students in Ghanaian coastal communities within the context of shark tourism

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