A Review of Ghanas Aquaculture Industry

Abstract

Globally, the aquaculture industry has seen significant development through increased fish production, as a result of increased demand for fish and fish products. Ghana's aquaculture sector has seen significant growth in recent years, due to the government/World Bank-funded fisheries program through Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD). The national aquaculture production grew from over 32,512 MT/y in 2013 to 52,470.49 MT/y, representing 11.3% of the national harvest, in 2016. Aquaculture production is projected to hit 72,000 Tons, representing 15% of national fish production, in the next 3-5 years. Despite the significant growth, the sector is faced with several challenges related to management and production problems. For instance, limited knowledge of modern aquaculture techniques, inadequate supplies of improved seed, lack of continuing aquaculture policy direction, and inadequate funding for research. Despite the challenges, there are some fantastic opportunities in Ghana's aquaculture industry such as the production of live fish food, marine fish and shellfish culture, integrated fish farming, the culture of indigenous fish species, and investment in the fish feed industry. In this review, we explore the current state, obstacles, potentials, and future opportunities for Ghana's aquaculture sector. We propose measures that should be looked at to overcome the challenges as well as improve production in the sector.

Waterbody scale assessment using spatial models to identify suitable locations for cage aquaculture in large lake systems: A case study in Volta Lake, Ghana

“…In Africa, cage aquaculture is growing rapidly in natural and man‐made lakes (Musinguzi et al, 2019), in many cases prompted by a decline in capture fisheries (Cowx & Ogutu‐Owhayo, 2019; Temesgen et al, 2019). Volta Lake in Ghana, West Africa, is one of the world's largest man‐made lakes, and although primarily created for hydroelectric power generation, aquaculture has become an important economic activity (Amenyogbe et al, 2018). A key objective of the Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan is to increase output from aquaculture to make up for the short fall in domestic supply from capture fisheries (Fisheries Commission, 2012).…”

Fish Consumption Behaviour and Perception of Food Security of Low-Income Households in Urban Areas of Ghana

“…Fish farming is also progressively gaining grounds in contributing to the domestic market. However, farmed fish is relatively expensive and may be unaffordable to poor consumers [6]. Quagrainie and Chu [1] revealed that the poor are known to depend largely on low-priced small pelagic fish species, such as sardines and mackerel, which are processed in a variety of ways (dried, smoked, fried, etc.…”

Consumer preference, growth and profitability of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) grown in treated and aerated wastewater fed ponds in Kumasi, Ghana

“…Aquaculture feed forms about 60% of production costs increasing the overall production cost and thereby reducing the profit margins of the regular aquaculture activities as compared to the wastewater fed aquaculture (Hasan, 2007). With fish feed being the most expensive component in traditional fish culture (Amenyogbe et al, 2018) taking that aspect out in wastewater fed aquaculture makes it a more affordable method of fish production. This indicates that wastewater fed aquaculture has the potential to be more economically successful as compared to regular aquaculture assuming high survival rates and good growth rates are achieved.…”

“…The aquaculture sector is a very important sector in the country's development contributing about 3-5% to the country's GDP. Apart from augmenting the shortage in the quantity of fish demanded relative to the fish supplied, the industry provides a source of livelihood to about 10% of Ghana's population (Amenyogbe et al, 2018). Wastewater fed aquaculture is becoming an attractive alternative to mainstream aquaculture because of the low capital investment.…”