We applied a rapid assessment methodology to estimate the degree of human impact on exposed sandy beaches in Ghana using ghost crabs as ecological indicators. The use of ghost crab burrow density and size ranges of the burrows as ecological indicators to assess extent of anthropogenic impacts on beaches was explored in this study. For each site, three transects were laid perpendicular to the shoreline over a 100 meter distance at 50 m intervals, i.e., at reference points 0, 50 and 100 meter points. Sampling locations were randomly selected along the three transects using a 1 m x 1 m quadrat. Measurements were done twice weekly for a period of four weeks. The results showed that even though the moderately disturbed beach had higher burrow density than the disturbed beach on the average, the difference is not statistically significant (t-test; p > 0.01). However, the mean burrow diameter at the moderately disturbed site was significantly larger than for the disturbed site (t-test; p < 0.01). We conclude that ghost crab burrow sizes is a better estimator of human impacts on exposed sandy beaches and could be employed as a rapid tool for monitoring the quality of beaches.

Abstract:In order to achieve sustainable fishing livelihoods in coastal communities, data on profitability of small-scale fisheries relative to fish species hauled and gear types used by fishermen is required as part of a broader fisheries management strategy. This study was undertaken with this in mind. Interviews were conducted among 60 fishermen between February and March 2010. Economic assessment of small-scale fishing activities were done using questionnaires based on direct market pricing and contingent valuation methods. The results indicate that highly profitable fish species include Epinephelus aeneus, Sparus caeruleostictus, Dentex angolensis and Lutjanus goreensis valued at

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Marine fishes are currently experiencing population decline which has severe repercussions on food security, especially in fishing households. However, without assessing the distribution and abundance of these marine fishes, ensuring sustainable management will become impossible. Therefore, the study aimed at applying multivariate techniques to determine the biodiversity of fishes along the coast of Ahanta West, Ghana. Fish samples were collected daily through experimental fishing from November-December, 2011. Data obtained from the study were analyzed for ecological indices, species diversity, and community structure using PAST and PRIMER v6 software. From the results, Pteroscion peli (19.2%), Galeoides decadactylus (11.7%), and Brachydeuterus auritus (9.0%) were the dominant fishes. Multivariate analysis identified three main assemblages of fishes, at 18%. For the ecological indices, the species dominance index (SDI) ranged from 0.89 to 0.93, which indicated that the fish species were highly dominated by a few species. The Shannon Weiner index (SWI) and Species Richness index (SRI) spanned between 2.64 – 2.92 and 4.43 – 648 respectively, showing high diversity of fish species. It is concluded that the marine environment along the Ahanta West, Ghana is rich in fish species diversity, and hence, there is the need to regulate existing fishing operations for sustainable utilization and conservation of these commercially important fish species. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.9(1): 57-59, April 2022

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