The status of Macrobrachium fishery and its market in southern Ghana

Abstract

Ghanaian fisheries is dominated by the marine sector which contributes 60-65% of total fish catch while the inland sector supplies 30-35%. Although finfishes are the main species captured in the inland sector, freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium are exploited on artisanal basis at the Volta River estuary. An exploratory study was conducted in the South Tongu District, Volta Region in Ghana, to ascertain the status of the prawn fishery: identify the species harvested, harvesting methods, catch statistics as well as the marketing chain. Data on the species harvested and catch statistics were based on artisanal fishers’ landings and field observations. Additionally, interviews were conducted with prawn fishers, processors and retailers to elicit information on the marketing chain of harvested prawns. Five species of prawns were identified: Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, Macrobrachium dux, Macrobrachium macrobrachion, Macrobrachium lar and Atya gabonensis with the first three being the most abundant. The prawns were harvested with baited basket traps conveyed in canoes to areas in the river where prawns are known to occur. The total annual catch estimated from the output of the 23 fishers was 6,230.4 kg over 236 fishing days year-1. Mean catch per fisher was 2.4 kg day-1 which was similar in the three fishing communities. Agave-Afedome however, had more fishers and contributed 80% of the total catch. Frying and roasting were the common processing methods used. All actors in the chain (fishers, processors and retailers) complained of low and inadequate supply of prawns and advocated the development of a sustainable fishery in this area.