CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND FISH CATCHABILITY: THE CASE OF INLAND ARTISANAL FISHERS ALONG THE VOLTA BASIN IN GHANA

Abstract

The pattern of the climatic conditions in the fisheries sub-sector is currently alarming and has interfered with many productive fishing activities. In response to this, fishers have resorted to using some climate change adaptation strategies(CCAS). This study assessed whether or not climate change adaptation strategies used by inland artisanal fishers improve fish catchability along the Volta Lake in Ghana. The study used primary cross sectional data. A conditional mixed-process (CMP) with an ordered probit outcome was used to estimate the effects of climate change adaptation strategies on fish catchability. The climate change adaptation strategies used by fishers in the study area are; increasing daily fishing time, increasing fishing efforts, changing fishing time, aquaculture production, migrating to another fishing area, fishing further away or deep inside the water, catching smaller fish, participation in alternative non-fishing livelihoods and taking a moratorium in fishing. It was evident that the more climate change adaptation strategies fishers use, the more fish they catch per unit man effort. It is prudent for stakeholders promoting climate change adaptation strategies and sustainable fishing especially the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to promote these strategies in fishing. More emphasis should be placed on sustainable climate change adaption strategies such as aquaculture production and implementation of close fishing seasons.