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Dr. Jemimah Etornam Kassah, a Fisheries Scientist, has brought attention to the detrimental effects of climate change on Ghana’s fisheries sector, revealing an alarming increase in fish tumors observed by biologists.
Speaking at a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Dr. Kassah, who also serves as a lecturer at the Department of Biology Education, University of Education, Winneba, highlighted the adverse impacts of climate change on the sustainability of Ghana’s fisheries.
One significant concern raised by Dr. Kassah is the surge in fish tumors, which were previously uncommon but are now being detected at alarming rates during fish dissections. This trend, along with other climate-related issues, poses a significant threat to Ghana’s fisheries.
Dr. Kassah pointed out that rising temperatures in the country could disrupt fish reproduction and survival rates, particularly for juvenile fish and hatched eggs. She explained that Ghana’s coastal upwelling, crucial for fishing, could weaken due to high temperatures, leading to reduced reproduction and survival rates for fish offspring.
Moreover, the warming of oceans causes changes in wind patterns, influencing the dispersal of young fish after spawning. Dr. Kassah emphasized that warmer temperatures prompt fish migration to colder or deeper waters, making them less accessible, especially for artisanal fishermen.
The impact of climate change isn’t limited to ecological disruptions; it also triggers conflicts within the fishing community. Dr. Kassah noted that fish migration into areas reserved for industrial fishermen has led to tensions between artisanal and industrial fishermen, exacerbating conflicts.
Additionally, rising sea levels and storm surges pose threats to coastal fishing communities. Dr. Kassah lamented the disappearance of fishing communities along the Volta Region coast and warned that more coastal communities, especially in the eastern region, are vulnerable to similar risks.
Dr. Kassah also expressed concern over human activities contributing to the degradation of Ghana’s water bodies and marine environments. She cited indiscriminate disposal of pollutants, plastic waste, heavy metals, and agricultural runoff containing pesticides and herbicides as significant contributors to ecosystem destruction.
