Charting sustainable waters: Governance challenges and opportunities for fisheries and coastal beach resources in a West African country
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Marine Policy
Abstract
Marine fisheries and beaches (i.e., backshore, foreshore and shoreface) are essential for providing ecosystem
services globally, with coastal states being at the forefront of this benefit. Consequently, several policies, legislations,
and governance processes must be formulated to ensure their sustainable use due to the impact of
anthropogenic and natural pressures. This study aims to analyse the legal and institutional frameworks for the
management of marine fisheries and beach resources (such as flora (coconut), fauna (ghost crabs), dunes, and
rocky components) under key international laws and conventions, using Ghana as a case study. The study
identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) within resource management, as well as
their impact on the country’s progress in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa
Union Agenda 2063. Data was collected through interviews with fishers, coastal residents, and other relevant
stakeholders, as well as a review of secondary data. The results unveil a distinctive contrast in the regulatory
landscape between fisheries and beach resources. While numerous policies have been formulated to ensure the
sustainable management of fisheries, the same level of attention and commitment has not been extended to beach
resources. The SWOT analysis revealed that some of the strengths in the governance of marine fisheries and
beach resources rest on the availability of institutions and laws. The weakness lies in inadequate enforcement and
data gathering and analyses to inform decision making. This study provides as an illuminating exploration into
the legal and institutional underpinnings of marine fisheries and beach resource management in Ghana, shedding
light on the critical junctures where improvements are needed.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Sustainable resource management, Legal and institutional frameworks, Fisheries and beach resource compliance, Governance effectiveness, Environmental policy, Ghana