The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Inshore Marine Fishing Activities: Insights from Elmina Coastline in the Keea Municipality

Abstract

Elmina is one of the important inshore fishing areas in Ghana where fishing serves as a source of livelihood for about 75 percent of the residents and its environs. However, fluctuations in fishing output have been recorded in recent times. Though there are myriad of causes to these fluctuations, this research sought to delve into the role of plastic marine debris in the observed fluctuations, since plastic marine debris have been noted to have the potential to cause harm to marine animals. Elmina like most coastal settlements in Ghana, suffers from improper disposal of all types of waste including plastics which ranks top in all wastes found along the beaches. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered to fishermen; 3 focus group discussions were held for fish mongers; three in-depth interviews were held for 2 fisheries officers at the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem (KEEA) and Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) fisheries department and an interview with a marine and fisheries expert. The study revealed that plastic marine debris has no effects on fishes in the Elmina coastline, but hampers the smooth operations of fishing activities through clogging of pedals of outboard motors and the breaking of nets of fishermen in the Elmina coastline. It was also revealed that the plastic marine debris rather affect the artisanal and deep sea fleets instead of the inshore fleets. Thus, fishermen in the Elmina coast, who are inshore fishermen, had very little encounter with them. The study recommends an intensive education of fishermen on the dangers that plastic marine debris can have on their source livelihood. Furthermore, the study recommends the placing of dustbins at vantage points at the various fish landing sites and the empowerment of the fisheries departments at the districts level through provision of infrastructure at the office, logistics and personnel