Unavailabity of Fishes: The effects on the humans causing gross unemployment to fishermen and fishmongers

By Gloria Tettey

Photo credit: Gloria Tettey

Imagine a world where the once abundant oceans are now struggling to provide enough fish to sustain our growing population. This is the reality we face as the availability of fish diminishes due to different reasons, among which climate change is included.

One may ask,What is climate change? Climate change is the long-term change in the weather patterns and temperatures on earth. This is caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, leading to global warming.

Nonetheless, the risen sea temperature and ocean acidification, which are some effects of climate change, have had a great impact on fish. The warming of the ocean and the increased acidity of its waters have disturbed the habitat of marine ecosystems and had an impact on their population. This can cause alterations in the way fish migrate, the availability of their food, and their overall productivity.

Fish is an excellent source of calories and protein, which provides the body with micronutrients like iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and also supports our economy.

Fish comes in different forms; they include tuna, tilapia, and salmon; mackerel scad, known as “Emule” in the local language; shark mackerel, known as “saflo”; and horse mackerel, known as “jaase” in the local language, among others. These fish are found in different places, such as the sea, rivers, lakes, and lagoons. Fishermen also use different methods for catching this fish, which include cast net, hook and line, and fishing lights, among others.

According to the Republic of Ghana fisheries and aquaculture sector of development,” Ghana fisheries contribute 4.5 percent to the annual gross domestic product (GDP) and indirectly support the livelihoods of 2.2 million people in  Ghana”. 

This proves that fish are very essential in the lives of humans. However, the decline of fisheries has made the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities hard to bear. Fishermen go fishing and come back with little or no catch because fish have migrated to different places in search of a cooler place to survive. This makes them struggle to provide for themselves and their families.

In addition, fish becomes scarce and expensive to the extent that people cannot afford it, which leads to malnutrition amongst children and adults.

According to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2008), “more than one-quarter (28%) of children under the age of five are stunted.”

Moreover, fishermen, due to climate change, have adopted different methods to catch plenty of fish. One of the methods is the echo sounder. It is a type of sonar that is used to determine the depth of water by transmitting acoustic waves into the water.

In order to reduce the negative effects of climate change on fish and the people who depend on them, it is important to take proactive steps. These steps can involve decreasing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by switching to cleaner sources of energy. 

It is also important to encourage fishing practices that are sustainable and to implement effective strategies for managing fisheries. Furthermore, restoring marine habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves, can play a significant role in supporting fish populations. Moreover, it is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of consuming sustainable seafood and to support policies that prioritize taking action against climate change. 

By working together, we can make a positive difference in addressing this issue.