MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

https://doi.org/10.47193/mafis.3622023010503

ABSTRACT. Migration is a common feature of most small-scale fisheries (SSF) across the

globe. To enhance fisheries resources sustainability and management, we examined the social issues

in the SSF from the perspective of fishers, Chief Fishermen, and Fisheries Technical Officers who

are actively involved in SSF migration and fisheries management along the coast of Ghana. We con-

ducted in-depth interviews in six important migrant fishers’ communities and analysed documents

on the socio-economic conditions of migrant fishers, conflicts among migrant fishers, rights of

migrant fishers and the role of government in managing fishers’ migration. Findings showed that the

successful integration of migrant fishers in the host communities resulted in minimal conflictual

incidents that are resolved through dialogue. Furthermore, both the Fisheries Technical Officers and

Chief Fishermen are involved in conflict resolution depending on the nature of the dispute. Also,

most migrant fishers (over 50%) have the same rights as the local fishers, though they are margin-

alized during the distribution of premix fuel. Migrant fishers with prominent status played key role

during decision-making process in the host communities. Overall, the study showed that migrant

fishers have aided in the progress of fishing technology, food security, and small-scale business in

the host fishing communities. To avert any form of marginalization during the distribution of premix

fuel, it is prudent for authorities to develop relevant policies that will ensure that migrant fishers

receive enough fuel for their fishing activities in the host communities.

Key words: Migrant fishers, West Africa, conflicts, fisheries management, fisheries resources.

La vida de los pescadores importa: cuestiones sociales en la migración de la pesca en pequeña

escala de Ghana

RESUMEN. La migración es una característica común de la mayoría de las pesquerías de peque-

ña escala (PPE) en todo el mundo. Para mejorar la sostenibilidad y la gestión de los recursos pes-

queros, se examinaron los problemas sociales en las PPE desde la perspectiva de los pescadores, los

Jefes de Pescadores y los Oficiales Técnicos de Pesca que participan activamente en la migración y

la gestión pesquera de las PPE a lo largo de la costa de Ghana. Se realizaron entrevistas en profun-

didad en seis importantes comunidades de pescadores migrantes y analizamos documentos sobre las

condiciones socioeconómicas de los pescadores migrantes, los conflictos entre los pescadores

migrantes, los derechos de los pescadores migrantes y el papel del gobierno en la gestión de la

migración de los pescadores. Los hallazgos mostraron que la integración exitosa de los pescadores

migrantes en las comunidades de acogida resultó en incidentes conflictivos mínimos que se resuel-

ven a través del diálogo. Además, tanto los Oficiales Técnicos de Pesca como los Jefes de Pescado-

res están involucrados en la resolución de conflictos, dependiendo de la naturaleza de la disputa.

Además, la mayoría de los pescadores migrantes (más de 50%) tienen los mismos derechos que los

119

*Correspondence:

berchie.asiedu@uenr.edu.gh

Received: 16 November 2022

Accepted: 6 February 2023

ISSN 2683-7595 (print)

ISSN 2683-7951 (online)

https://ojs.inidep.edu.ar

Journal of the Instituto Nacional de

Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero

(INIDEP)

This work is licensed under a Creative

Commons Attribution-

NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

International License

Marine and

Fishery Sciences

MAFIS

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Fishers’ lives matter: social issues in small-scale fisheries migration of

Ghana

BERCHIE ASIEDU1, *, PIERRE FAILLER2, SAMUEL K. K. AMPONSAH1and PAULINA OKPEI1

1Department of Fisheries and Water Resources, University of Energy & Natural Resources, P. O. Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana. 2Centre for Blue

Governance, University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, UK. ORCID Berchie Asiedu

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9879-718X, Pierre Failler https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9225-9399, Samuel K. K. Amponsah

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5559-3139, Paulina Okpei https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1286-4204

INTRODUCTION

Food security, employment and sustainable

utilisation of the world’s natural resources are key

to our survival. Globally, more than 490 million

people depend at least partially on small-scale

fisheries (SSF) for their livelihoods (FAO 2022).

These fisheries supply 40% of global fish catch

and provide protein and micronutrients like

omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, selenium and zinc

to billions of people. In Ghana, about 3 million

people are currently involved in the fishery sector

with over 90% being in the SSF sector. Fish pro-

vides about 60% of the dietary protein needs of

the average Ghanaian with an average annual per

capita consumption of 25 kg. Small-scale fishers

use simple gears and technologies, travel for short

distances and target multi-species.

The challenges encountered by SSF are recog-

nized worldwide (Pauly et al. 1998; Muraski

2000; Hutchings and Reynolds 2004; Caddy and

Seijo 2005). Common issues facing SSF include

resource overexploitation, decline catches, com-

plex and dynamic fleet interactions, competition,

and conflicts between fleets (small-scale and

industrial), poverty and post-harvest problems,

such as lack of infrastructure (Salas et al. 2007;

Asiedu et al. 2013). In order to cope with these

issues most fishers migrate. In Ghana, migration

is a livelihood strategy adopted by many small-

scale fishers. Migration among small-scale fish-

ers in Ghana is widespread and increasing expo-

nentially (Overå et al. 2001; Marquette et al.

2002; GSS 2014a; Asiedu et al. 2022). This is

mostly driven by biological, socio-economic,

overexploitation of commercially important fish

species, climate change safety and sargassum

influxes (Kraan 2009; Daw et al. 2012; Peer and

Miller 2014; FAO 2017). Fishers’ migration pro-

vides an avenue for small-scale fishers to

improve their standards of living (DFID 2004).

For instance, income earned by migrant fishers

is used to feed families, acquire assets, etc. Addi-

tionally, remittances by migrant fishers help in

reducing poverty in their home communities.

The economic aspect of migration helps fishers

to earn income, take care of their families, meet

other social commitments, and improve their

standard of living (Asiedu et al. 2022). Migra-

tion also provides fishers with access to

resources thereby contributing to the life suste-

nance of migrant fishers (Wanyonyi et al. 2021).

In recent years, increased development, and

globalization in the area of transportation and

communication have facilitated fishers’ migra-

tion (IOM 2005).

Migrant fishers face many social issues in their

quest to migrate whether internally or internation-

ally. As a first step, they face the challenge of

moving with or without their families. During

short-term migration, the majority of fishers

leave their wives behind to care for their families,

but during long-term travels, they move along

with their families (Sall 2006). Further, migrant

fishers are challenged by livelihood space. It is a

concern where the migrant fisher would live,

work, use available services and facilities, and

earn acceptance from the local fishers (Kraan

120 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

pescadores locales, aunque son marginados durante la distribución de la premezcla de combustible. Los pescadores migrantes con un

estatus destacado desempeñaron un papel clave durante el proceso de toma de decisiones en las comunidades de acogida. En general, el

estudio mostró que los pescadores migrantes han ayudado en el progreso de la tecnología pesquera, la seguridad alimentaria y los nego-

cios a pequeña escala en las comunidades pesqueras anfitrionas. Para evitar cualquier forma de marginación durante la distribución de

combustible de premezcla, es prudente que las autoridades desarrollen políticas inteligentes que aseguren que los pescadores migrantes

reciban suficiente combustible para sus actividades pesqueras en las comunidades de acogida.

Palabras clave: Pescadores migrantes, África Occidental, conflictos, manejo de pesquerías, recursos pesqueros.

2009). Before fishers migrate, inquiries regarding

accommodation and working space are made

through phone calls with friends and relatives in

the host communities. However, being able to

identify a niche and explore resources as well as

gain acceptance from local fishers can be delicate

(Odotei 2002). Although, most host communities

welcome and maintain healthy relationships with

migrant fishers (Sugimoto 2016), integration into

the host communities is often challenging. Stud-

ies have indicated that most indigenes and

migrant fishers coexist but do not collaborate

(Sall 2006; Njock and Westlund 2008). They do

not share the same interests since they do not

belong to the same society, which results in dis-

putes, stigmatization, marginalization, and exclu-

sion of immigrants (Njock and Westlund 2008;

Wanyonyi et al. 2017; Failler and Ferraro 2021).

A brief overview of the small-scale fisheries

sector of Ghana

The small-scale or artisanal fisheries in Ghana

operate several fishing gears such as purse seine

nets, beach seine nets, set nets, drifting gillnets,

and hook and line. Dugout canoes comprising

both motorized and non-motorized are the main

crafts used by Ghanaian small-scale fishermen.

Currently, over 13,000 canoes and more than

124,000 fishers are engaged in small-scale fish-

ing activity in Ghana operating from over 300

landing sites dotted along the 550 km length of

the coastline (Dovlo et al. 2016). A high propor-

tion of the fish catch is provided by the SSF sec-

tor (around 60%), with the marine sub-sector

accounting for more than 70% of the total fish

production (Nunoo et al. 2014; FC 2022). Fish

caught by small-scale fishers in developing coun-

tries such as Ghana is likely to contribute about a

quarter of the total protein, thus playing a vital

role in food and nutrition security, trade, and

other economic activities in small-scale fishing

communities (Marquette et al. 2002; Asiedu et al.

2018). Roles are distinguished in SSF of Ghana

(Torell et al. 2016; Adjei and Sika-Bright 2019).

Men are primarily engaged in fish harvesting,

undertaking the main fishing activities (Nunoo

and Asiedu, 2013). Contrary, women act as

wholesalers, supplying catch from boats they

own or negotiating with boat captains to buy

landed catches to dispose of by marketing.

Women also serve as financiers to fishermen and

support them in purchasing fishing inputs (Appi-

ah et al. 2021). Major species harvested by small-

scale fishermen include Sardinella aurita,S.

maderensis,Cynoglosus senegalensis,Selene dor-

salis,Chlroroscombrus chrysurus,Decapterus

punctatus, Ilisha africana, and others (Nunoo and

Asiedu 2013). Stock assessment studies on some

of these fish species landed by small-scale fishing

communities have shown overexploitation and

possible collapse in the absence of appropriate

management measures (e.g. Amponsah et al.

2019, 2021).

The management of SSF in Ghana is chal-

lenged by the expansion of rival fleets, economic

collapse, open-access regime, weak enforcement,

conflicts, and environmental issues (Asiedu et al.

2013). The culminating effect of these challenges

confronting small-scale fisheries is the high rate

of poverty in small-scale fishing communities

(Asiedu et al. 2013). Furthermore, the Ghana Liv-

ing Standard Survey Round Six (GLSS 6)

revealed that whereas the poverty gap is reducing

in other ecological zones, the opposite is occur-

ring in the coastal zones (GSS 2014b).

Fishers in Ghana and other parts of West

Africa have adopted several strategies to cope

with the decline in their catch and this includes

migration to other fishing communities. The

Government of Ghana has enacted several legal

instruments such as the Human Trafficking Act

(Act 694) and the Human Trafficking Prohibition

Regulations (Legislative Instrument 2219) to

enhance migration governance (IOM 2020). The

enactment of these laws contributes to the attain-

ment of migration-related Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals (SDGs) and, specifically, SDG Target

121

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

10.7 to ‘facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and

responsible migration and mobility of people,

including through the implementation of planned

and well-managed migration policies’ (IOM

2020). As Ghana strives to achieve SDGs Goal 8

(decent work and economic growth) and Goal 11

(sustainable cities and communities) by 2030,

there is a need to highlight and address all the

issues concerned with fishers’ migration. Further-

more, the integration of issues concerning

migrant fishers into the formulation and imple-

mentation of effective fisheries management

policies is weak in Ghana and other parts of the

Gulf of Guinea. In most cases, migrant fishers are

marginalized and do not have a voice in the man-

agement of fisheries. Efforts to address these

challenges are important to the management of

the SSF sector of Ghana. Reconciling fisheries

management with social issues is among the

greatest challenges in the era of declining stocks,

especially in developing countries such as

Ghana. Generally, knowledge about SSF is par-

ticularly limited despite its dominancy, and it is

also less researched than commercial fishing

(Cordell 2002; Salas 2007). Even though in

recent times, attention on SSF is on the rise, it is

still overshadowed by the industrial sector in

fisheries science and policy discourse (Smith and

Basurto 2019). These create gaps and challenges

in managing the fishery that must be addressed.

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)

has indicated that the main problems and con-

straints of SSF are threefold and are related most-

ly to social, economic and human rights aspects

that lead them to poverty and vulnerability. Fish-

ers’ migration is a social and economic issue.

Thus, addressing social issues in migration is cru-

cial in sustaining fishers’ livelihood and the fish-

ery. The United Nations General Assembly has

declared 2022 the International Year of Artisanal

Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). Thus,

this study contributes to highlighting issues in

SSF. Accordingly, the study aimed to assess the

social issues that migrant fishers face in the host

communities. Specifically, we examined: a) the

socio-economic conditions of migrant fishers; b)

conflicts among migrant and host fishers; c) the

rights of migrant fishers; and d) the role of gov-

ernment in dealing with fishers’ migration.

Understanding social issues faced by migrant

fishers is necessary for the formulation of policies

for the sustainable management of SSF of Ghana.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study communities

Ghana has a coastline of approximately 550

km. The SSF sector consists of 13,000 canoes,

employs about 124,000 (mostly male) fishers and

1.9 million fish processors and traders (mainly

female) and accounts for about 80% of total

annual marine fish catch by volume (Dovlo et al.

2016; Andriesse et al. 2022). For this study, we

selected six fishing communities that span the

four coastal regions. The communities were

Shama in Western Region, Elmina and Apam in

Central Region, Tema and Ahwiam in Greater

Accra, and Denu in Volta Region (Figure 1).

Characteristics of communities in terms of popu-

lation, fishing gears and number of fishers are

shown in Table 1. These communities are

involved in important fishing activities and are

destinations for a significant number of migrant

fishers (Nunoo and Asiedu 2013; Asiedu et al.

2022).

Data collection

Interview-based questionnaire

To meet the objective of the study, we conduct-

ed in-depth interviews with the use of a semi-

structured questionnaire with key migrant fishers

(n =80), Chief Fishermen (n =6) and Fisheries

Technical Officers (n =6) in the study communi-

ties. Respondents were chosen based on their

122 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

123

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

Table 1. Characterization of study communities. Source: GSS (2014b) and Dovlo et al. (2016).

Study community District assembly Population Gears used Number of fishers

Apam Gomoa West 23,588 Ali nets, drifting nets, purse 1,600

nets, line, and set nets

Elmina Komenda-Edina- 23,013 Ali nets, beach seine gears,

Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) purse nets, line, and set nets 2,000

Shama Shama 11,000 Set net, purse net line, drifting 2,352

net, Ali net, and beach seine

Ahwiam Ningo Prampram 3,500 Pursing net, line, set net, 894

and drifting net

Tema Tema Metropolitan 71,711 Pursing1nets, line, ali2net, 5,167

Assembly drifting3net, and set4net

Denu Ketu South 6,051 Pursing nets, beach seine, 418

and set net

1Pursing net are used by the inshore vessels with mesh sizes ranging from 10-25 mm.

2Ali net are the main net used in catching Sardinella normally at the beginning or towards the end of the fishing season.

3Drifting net are operated on the surface or at a certain distance below it, drifting freely with the current.

4Set net are nets that catch fish by gilling, entangling or enmeshing them in the net.

Figure 1. Map of the study communities.

Ashanti

Eastern Volta

Central

Western

Brong Ahafo

Togo

Ivory Coast

Brong Ahafo

Gulf of Guinea

Regions

Atlantic Ocean

Volta lake

Ahwiam

Apam

Denu

Elmina

Shama

Tema

0 50 100

4° 30 0 N'" 5° 40 0 N'" 6° 50 0 N'"

2° 40 0 W'" 1° 30 0 W'" 0° 20 0 W'" 0° 50 0 E'"

Greater Accra

Ghana

experience, availability, willingness to take part

in the interview and membership of fisheries

association (Table 2). In total 92 respondents

were interviewed during the study period. The in-

depth interviews were conducted between June

and July 2022.

In the fishing industry of Ghana and many

other West African countries, the Chief Fisher-

man is the most important traditional institution

and plays a vital role in fisheries resources man-

agement. The Chief Fisherman has the authority

to allow the entry of new fishers into their fishing

landing communities (Nunoo et al. 2015). The

position of the Chief Fisherman is hereditary and

holds a lot of power and dignity. The Chief Fish-

erman is in charge of all the fishing operations in

the fishing community. He settles disputes,

imposes penalties, organizes, and monitors the

allocation of any communal input as well as deals

with the activities that must be undertaken in the

event of risk and disasters at sea (Bennett 2002).

Given their importance in the traditional manage-

ment of SSF in Ghana, they were selected for the

key informant interview.

The Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council

(GNCFC) is the umbrella body of most small-

scale fishers. It was formed in 1982 with the

objective of promoting the welfare of canoe fish-

ers. Since then, it has grown to become an

umbrella body of fishers and fishery associations

in Ghana (Adjei 2021). In this study, we inter-

viewed migrant fishers who were also members

of the GNCFC.

Interviews were carried out in English. In situ-

ations where the language was a barrier, a local

facilitator (i.e. the local Fisheries Technical Offi-

cer) was employed. Furthermore, responses were

transcribed onto an audio recorder with the con-

sent of respondents. The qualitative data were

collected using key informants, experts inter-

views, and informal field discussions. The main

purpose of collecting the qualitative data through

these methods was to examine the major issues

on migrant fishers, mostly on the mode of migra-

tions, conflict resolution, roles of government,

rights of migrant fishers, and other themes in the

host fishing communities. The research team was

able to obtain a better knowledge of migrant fish-

ers through the data collected. The interview

duration lasted between 30 and 50 min.

The study employed quantitative and qualita-

tive methodologies to collect data using mixed

questionnaires (closed and open-ended ques-

tions). There were three parts to the question-

naire: the first part examined the modes of migra-

tion and the settlement structure of migrant fish-

ers; the second part assessed the rules and regula-

tions, and conflict issues; and the third part

explored the roles of government in migrant fish-

ers and the rights of migrant fishers.

124 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

Table 2. Category of respondents, number, percentage and criteria used during the interviewed.

Category of respondents Number Number interviewed (n) % n Criteria used

Chief Fishermen 6 6 100 Traditional leader

Fisheries Technical Officers 6 6 100 Government official

Migrant fishers 622 80 13 Membership of fisheries

association, experience,

availability, and willingness

Desktop studies

Documents on social issues of fishers’ migra-

tion were analysed on the following themes: fish-

ers migration, SSF, social issues, patterns and

impacts. Documents consulted included the 2021

Annual Performance Report (FC 2022), the

Ghana Canoe Frame Survey Report (Dovlo et al.

2016), the Co-Management Policy for the Fish-

eries Sector of Ghana (MoFAD, 2020), Asiedu et

al. (2022), Deme et al. (2021), and Failler and

Ferraro (2021).

Data analysis

Responses obtained from the study were coded

and fed into the Statistical Package for Social Sci-

ences (SPSS) version 23 for statistical analysis.

Descriptive statistics were performed and repre-

sented in tables and charts. Inferential statistics

were carried out at a confidence interval of 95%.

Non-parametric tests such as Chi-square analysis

were performed to elucidate the existence of any

significant differences in categorical variables as

provided by the various respondents.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Socio-economic conditions of migrant fishers

Many Ghanaian fishers migrate either season-

ally or permanently to internal and international

fishing communities in search of better fish

catches, prices and alternatives to population

pressures (Asiedu et al. 2022). Out of the five

migrating groups, fishermen were the dominant

migrant group (47.4%) (Figure 2). Fishermen are

mostly recruited as crew members for fishing

purposes, while men in this study refer to the

older generation who are mostly engaged for their

experience in providing solutions to emergencies

and advice during conflictual situations at sea

(21.1%). However, in situations where the crew

members see old men as a liability in the fishing

activities due to generational gap, reduced physi-

cal strength and advanced age, only fishermen

(mostly of the younger generation) form the

migrating group. Though most wives or fish

125

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

Figure 2. Migrating groups among migrant fishers.

010203040

Fishermen

Men

Wives

Processors

Women

Forms of migrating groups

% Respondents

processors join fishermen in the receiving com-

munities by road, wives of the senior migrant

fishermen are often allowed a return trip to their

natal fishing community by the sea.

Most women migrate to the host communities

with fishermen to provide housekeeping services

for them. The women are remunerated with either

a share of a catch or direct wages, thereby helping

to meet food security and poverty reduction. The

successful integration of women in the host com-

munities largely depends on the generosity of the

fishermen. In other cases, some migrant fisher-

men exclude women from migrating with them

because they perceive that dwelling with women

in the host communities is an expensive exercise.

Nonetheless, the crew composition for the long-

duration form of migration at sea tends to be

influenced by kinship ties due to possible dangers

the crew might face. It must be noted that women

continue to play important roles within and out-

side the fisheries sector. Women play a big part in

maintaining the social fabric of the fisheries and

are central to the social context of fisheries (Sza-

boova et al. 2022).

Many migrant fishers (65%) upon arrival in

the host communities live in the same neighbour-

hood as the indigenes (Figure 3). Having the

nexus of friends, relatives or former co-workers

makes settlement within the vicinity of the host

communities possible. According to Asiedu et al.

(2022), internal host communities visited by

migrant fishers from Ghana include Tema,

Sekondi, Apam, Axim and others, while for inter-

national host communities, fishing communities

in coastal countries like Togo, Ivory Coast,

Benin and others are mostly visited by Ghanaian

migrant fishers. For internal migration, it is

mandatory for migrant fishers to pay a token

known as landing fee, which grants them access

to the resources in the host fishing communities.

However, for international host fishing commu-

nities, proper documentation on the period of

stay, the number of crew, and other necessary

information are requested before migrant fishers

will gain access to the aquatic resources without

hindrance (Asiedu et al. 2022).

Land scarcity in the host fishing communities

appears to be a challenge, therefore these migrant

126 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

Figure 3. Settlement style of migrant fishers in the host communities.

Live closer to the beach

Same neighbourhood

6%5

Both

30%

fishers do not have the luxury of having a piece of

land credited to them by the authorities of the

host communities. To have access to housing

units in the host communities, migrant fishers pay

rent to the landlords. However, only in rare situa-

tions will migrant fishers opt to reside in separate

locations within the host communities. About 5%

of migrant fishers live close to beaches usually in

tents and wooden structures. The UN Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) advocate decent liv-

ing as well as promote safe and secure working

environments for all workers including migrant

workers (Target 8.8). In most developing coun-

tries, fishers live in conditions with poor sanita-

tion. This affects the health and well-being of

migrant fishers.

Nature of fishing rules and regulations in the

host communities

Migrant fishers are faced with challenges in

their fishing activities even after successful inte-

gration into the host communities. They are man-

dated to comply with the local rules and regula-

tions enacted by the Chief Fisherman and his

council of elders (Figure 4). Prominent among

these rules and regulations set aside for migrant

fishers include i) obeying the non-fishing day

holidays. During these days, fishers both indi-

genes and migrants are supposed to abstain from

fishing activities. During these periods, migrant

fishers indulge in mending their fishing nets,

attending family gatherings such as weddings,

naming ceremonies, and funerals, or spending

quality time with family and friends. Fishmon-

gers also use these fishing holidays to sell their

processed fish products, particularly smoked fish,

at either internal or external markets; ii) migrant

fishers are mandated to partake in communal

labour organized by the indigenes; iii) migrant

fishers are also instructed to perform some rites

which involve paying landing fees together with

the presentation of local dry gin before being

granted access to the aquatic resources, and iv)

migrant fishers are required to halt any fishing

activities during community curfews. Communi-

ty curfews in this context relate to days during

which funeral activities are ongoing within the

127

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

Figure 4. Prevalence of fishing rules and regulations at the host communities.

Pay landing dues

Report any conﬂicts to CF

Observe ﬁshing holidays

Partake in communal labour

Observe community curfews

01020304050 60

Regulations and rules

% Respondents

host communities. Failure to observe these rules

and regulations implies that accessibility to

aquatic resources is denied. In order to regain

access to fisheries resources in the host commu-

nity, violators are made to pay specified fines

which vary from one fishing community to the

other. Nonetheless, all fines include drinks that

are used to pacify the sea god under the supervi-

sion of the Chief Fishermen and chief priest

(Adjei and Sika-Bright 2019).

Conflictual issues among migrant fishers

Sources of conflicts between local and migrant

fishers in the host communities are grouped into

social and occupational (Figure 5). Occupational

sources are generated because of fishing activi-

ties. For instance, rush for fishing grounds

between indigenes and migrant fishers at sea,

destruction of fishing equipment by locals, inade-

quate supply of premix fuel and stealing of land-

ed catch by indigenes at the beach. Migrant fish-

ers are technologically endowed with effective

fishing techniques making it easier for them to

explore greater fishing grounds than local fishers.

These effective fishing techniques and access to

128 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

wider fishing grounds lead to higher catches by

migrant fishers. Such bountiful catches by

migrant fishers triggers local fishers to explore

similar fishing grounds after gaining access to

such effective fishing techniques. The movement

of local fishers to the fishing grounds exploited by

migrant fishers breeds competition for fish

resources, ultimately leading to conflicts between

local and migrant fishers. In areas where local

fishers do not have access to better fishing tech-

niques and finances in comparison with migrant

fishers (e.g. in Denu migrant fishers are offshore

fishers while indigenes are mostly beach seine

fishers) local fishers sometimes destroy the fish-

ing vessels or part of the vessels belonging to

migrant fishers. These actions by local fishers

brew conflicts between them and migrant fishers.

The social source of conflicts occurs due to

derailing from the accepted way of life practiced

by the indigenes. This includes going after the

wives or fiancée of the indigenes, not partaking in

communal labour and defecating at the beach, etc.

Most of the conflictual incidents are resolved

through dialogue between the indigenes and

migrant fishers amicably at the beach. For

instance, when indigenes at the beach, tagged as

Figure 5. Source of conflicts between local and migrant fishers in the host communities.

Rush for ﬁshing grounds

Non-compliance to rules and regulations

Chasing after native wives’

Inadequate distribution of premix

010203040

Sources

% Respondents

‘hustlers’, steal a portion of the landed catch and

are caught, such incidents are resolved in a friend-

ly manner. Conflicts of higher magnitude such as

going after another man’s wife or destroying the

fishing equipment of migrant fishers are mostly

resolved through dialogue in the presence of the

Chief Fisherman in the host community and at

times the Fisheries Technical Officer is involved.

However, in the absence of the Fisheries Technical

Officer, justice for the migrant fishers in wake of

any conflict with indigenes is stalled. Nonetheless,

the long stay of migrant fishers in the host com-

munities largely results in little or no conflictual

incidents between them and the indigenes because

they have accepted and are practicing the norms

set aside by the host communities (Bennet 2002).

Rights of migrant fishers in the host communi-

ties

Rights enjoyed by migrant fishers in the host

communities are outlined in Table 3. Migrant

fishers in the various host communities raised

concerns about not having constant access to pre-

mix fuel. In some host communities, members of

the local committee act as middle agents who sell

the fuel at exorbitant prices to these migrant fish-

ers. These migrant fishers have no other option

than to buy the premix fuel, which eventually

affects the prices of landed catch as well as the

expenses made for their fishing activities. The

premix fuel is distributed to various fishing com-

mittees based on the number of local fishers.

However, the influx of migrant fishers increases

the total number of fishers, thus resulting in the

unequal distribution of premix fuel. Such occur-

rences have the propensity of fuelling conflicts

between migrant and local fishers. Therefore, it

will be appropriate to quantify the number of

migrant fishers moving into various fishing com-

munities, and this could serve as an input for the

recalculation of premix fuel for distribution in

these communities.

Partaking in decision-making by migrant fish-

ers in the host communities is a right that most

migrant fishers enjoy. The zeal to contribute to

129

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

Table 3. Rights of migrant fishers in the host fishing community.

Role of Government Response Frequency (%)

Rights to social amenities Yes 92 (100%)

No 0

Right to vote Yes 92 (100%)

No 0

Right to own properties Yes 92 (100%)

No 0

Access to premix fuel Yes 0

No 92 (100%)

Decision management Yes 92 (100%)

No 0

Any discrimination Yes 18 (20%)

No 74 (80%)

Rights to marriage Yes 92 (100%)

No 0

such a decision-making process is mostly reliant

on the fact it is geared towards sustainable man-

agement of the fisheries that form their main

livelihood. However, in certain communities,

migrant fishers with good standings sometimes

have a degree of involvement when it comes to

decision-making. For instance, a migrant fisher

who possesses many fishing vessels, the Chief

Fisherman of the migrant fishing community in

the host communities, and highly experienced

migrant fishers can be tagged as migrant fishers

in good standings in the host communities.

Nonetheless, the successful involvement of

migrant fishers in decision-making depends on

the benevolence of the council of elders in the

host communities. Given this, there is a need to

gazette policies with legal backing which would

allow migrant fishers to partake in decision-

making for the welfare of both locals and

migrant fishers. Such policies are crucial mainly

in areas where migrant fishers are not involved

in decision-making and may tend to engage in

illegal fishing methods without recourse to its

implication to the ecosystem and the dependent

livelihoods. For example, Muttenzer and

Andriamahefazafy (2021) noted that the way

migrant fishers fish greatly affects the popula-

tions of aquatic resources. The long stays and

successful integration of migrant fishers in the

host communities lower the likelihood of any

form of discrimination. Also, the fact of estab-

lishing and maintaining social capital with locals

through marriage, goodwill gestures, and other

relationships enables migrant fishers to cohabi-

tate successfully with locals in the host commu-

nities. However, discrimination between local

and migrant fishers in the host community sur-

faces at certain happenings. For instance, during

conflict resolution between local and migrant

fishers, there is a high probability of migrant

fishers being marginalized, resulting in stale-

mate or postponement of judgment. To avoid

such results, especially during conflict resolu-

tions, migrant fishers prefer the involvement of

government officials who play a neutral role,

thus ensuring fair treatment. The right to marry

women or men in the host communities has been

enjoyed for decades by migrant fishers. Migrant

fishers become the preferred spouse of women in

the host communities because they are seen as

hardworking and financially stable. Further-

more, some migrant fishers employ women to

assist them in their fishing business, which even-

tually ends in marriage.

Roles of government in managing fishers’ mi-

gration

Table 3 indicates the role of government

regarding the activities of migrant fishers during

their stay at the host communities. The majority

of the respondents (80%) agreed that the govern-

ment, through the Fisheries Technical Officers

plays a major role in resolving conflictual issues

(Table 4). Officially, issues of conflict are in two

forms, either it involves only small-scale fishers,

or it occurs between small-scale fishers and semi-

industrial fishers. When involving two or more

small-scale fishers, they are mostly resolved by

the Chief Fisherman and his elders within the

host communities. However, conflicts existing

between small-scale fishers and semi-industrial

or industrial fishers are mostly brought to the

notice of the Fisheries Technical Officers in-

charge of the fishing community. Nonetheless,

the lengthy or stressful procedure of tabling the

case or allegations for mediation by the govern-

ment deters some migrant fishers from reporting

such incidents to the Fisheries Technical Officers.

In some instances, the expenses involved before

receiving attention from Fisheries Technical Offi-

cers is also a demotivating factor on the part of

migrant fishers to report such incidents. Thus,

some migrant fishers resort to resolving conflict

with other small-scale fishers without involving

government officials.

The majority of the respondents (60%) sup-

ported the claim that government do monitor the

130 MARINE AND FISHERY SCIENCES 36 (2): 119-135 (2023)

fish catch landed on daily basis (Table 4). How-

ever, the monitoring of landed catch by Fisheries

Technical Officers is not disaggregated into

catch landed by migrant and local fishers. Some

respondents (40%) were concerned that govern-

ment does not record catches landed by migrant

fishers in the host communities. However, this

appears to be not the case, instead, the procedure

used by the Fisheries Technical Officers in mon-

itoring the catch statistically excludes some fish-

ers. Nevertheless, to statistically have an idea of

the percentage of the catch landed by migrant

fishers as well as the contribution of migrant

fishers to food and nutritional security in the

host communities, there is a need to segregate

such fish catch data. This, when instituted can

aid in drafting proper management policies for

migrant fishers.

The majority of respondents (70%) indicated

that government officials play no key role in

curbing the involvement of migrant fishers in

illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fish-

ing methods (Table 4). Allegations stem from the

fact that most migrant fishers believe that the

government cannot control the engagement of

fishers in IUU fishing due to the large number of

fishers along the coast and the isolation of these

areas. Furthermore, the inability or reluctance in

punishing violators of sustainable fishing on the

part of the Fisheries Technical Officers was cited

as another factor for the government’s inability

to ensure that migrant fishers desist from prac-

ticing IUU fishing methods. In view of this,

there is a need to strengthen the coordination

between the Fisheries Enforcement Unit and the

judiciary system for prompt issuing of varying

levels of punishment to violators. When such

coordination is firmly rooted within the frame-

work of fisheries management, migrant fishers

will have no option but to comply with the exist-

ing fisheries management measures at the vari-

ous host communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Activities of migrant small-scale fishers con-

tinue to play critical roles in food security, liveli-

hood support and the development of the local

economies. Migration among fishers is mostly

male-dominated due to the tedious nature of the

job. Socio-economic conditions of migrant fish-

ers must be critically examined and incorporated

into fisheries management programmes and poli-

cies. Following adherence to fishing regulations

in the host communities, migrant fishers tend to

enjoy many benefits in the host communities

131

ASIEDU ET AL.: FISHERS’ MIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES OF GHANA

Table 4. Role of government in the lives of migrant fishers in the host community. IUU: illegal, unreported, and unregulated.

Role of Government Response Frequency (%)

Conflict resolution Yes 74 (80%)

No 18 (20%)

Social amenities No 83 (90%)

Yes 9 (10%)

Data records Yes 55 (60%)

No 37 (40%)

Efforts on IUU Yes 28 (30%)

No 64 (70%)

including the right to partake in decision-making

for sustainable management of the fisheries

resources. Nonetheless, there is a need to empow-

er the Chief Fishermen and government authori-

ties in the management of migrant fishers in the

host communities as these institutions play a sig-

nificant role in resolving conflicts between

migrant and local fishers as well as ensuring that

migrant fishers adhere to existing fishing rules

and regulations. Additionally, Fisheries Technical

Officers must record catches of migrant fishers.

To ensure that migrant fishers do not engage in

IUU fishing methods without considering the

integrity of the marine ecosystem, equity in the

distribution of premix fuel should be addressed in

the host communities using relevant strategies.

There is an urgent need for better integration of

the social issues of migrant fishers into national

fisheries policy to address challenges emanating

therefrom.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We express our appreciation to the men and

women from coastal areas and local fishing com-

munities for their generosity in sharing their

knowledge and experiences. Many thanks to the

Fisheries Officers, Chief Fishermen and actors of

Non-Governmental Organizations for participat-

ing in the study. We thank key informants for their

assistance and willingness to share information

with our team. This work was supported by the

Management and Resilience of Small Pelagic

Fisheries in West Africa (GREPPAO) project

funded by the European Union under the PESCAO

programme (EuropeAid/158370/DD/ACT/Multi)

and led by the University of Portsmouth.

Declaration of interest

The authors have nothing to declare.

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