Alternative Livelihoods: A Tool for Sustainable Fisheries Management in Ghana
Most experts agree that many fisheries around the world are in crisis. Indeed, many would agree that something needs to be done to fix this problem in order to ensure the sustainability of fishery resources. In most cases fishing will have to be reduced significantly which will affect fisher’s income and livelihood. And, the important question that many will ask, what do we do with our fishers to earn extra income and to allow fish populations to rebuild? This study addresses this question in the case of Ghana by conducting interview and key informant discussion of Ghana’s small-scale fishers and fisheries managers. This study indicated that over 73% of fishers interviewed were willing to switch jobs, with 27% indicating that they would not consider it. This result implies that there is a good potential for well-designed alternative livelihood schemes to succeed. However, about 50% did not have the required skills to work outside the fishing and agriculture related areas. Therefore, any well designed alternative livelihoods scheme will have to address how to improve suitable skills among fishers.
