fishing and fishes in Ghana

MANY A time, we enjoy our meals when its garnished  with all types of edible sea foods of our choice. Have you ever wondered when the fish on a meal was fished out? The processes in  getting the fish, the preservation methods, the sea or pond that nurtured the fish?etc.. I bet to differ, we are much interested in consuming that delicious meal.

         

As the very first post on this blog, I come in to talk about  fishing,an activity that involves trying to catch fish in any aquatic environment. The history of fishing goes as far as the creation of man and other living creature and Fishing is an ancient practice that dates back to at least the beginning of the Paleolithic period about 40,000 years ago.Fishes, as special organisms also have special features such as the gills and lack limbs with digits. Most fishes are cold-blooded(Ectothermic) allowing their body temperature to vary in ambient temperate aquatic environments, though large active white sharks and Tuna can hold a higher core temperature. Fishes can be found in nearly all aquatic environments.. from the highest mountains stream to the deepest oceans. techniques in fishing includes hand gathering, spearing, netting etc.

fishermen sewing their net on the walkway on a tuesday

fishing in Ghana increased considerably in the late 1960s, from 105,100 tons of marine fish caught in 1967 to 230,100 tons in 1971^. In 1982 the yield was 234,100 tons, composed of 199,100 tons of marine varieties and 35,000 tons of freshwater fish from Lake Volta. The industry was hit by fuel shortages, inadequate storage facilities, and the general economic difficulties of the 1970s and the 1980s^.Nevertheless, by 1988 the fish catch was 302,900 tons; by 1991 it amounted to 289,675 tons, down from more than 319,000 tons in 1990.

Apparently, fishes dominate in their favorable aquatic environment. In an interview with a fisherman along the coast of Gulf of Guinea, i identified some fishes that dominate in the James Town Beach, in Accra Ghana. Watch interview

 

According to FAO statistics, the total number of commercial fishermen and fish farmers is estimated to be 38million in the world. Occupation as a fisherman in my society is greatly influenced with the fact that, you were born and bread in a fishing community. In Ghana, fishermen rest on tuesdays by not going a fishing.   

         

 

   

fishermen selecting their catch

                                                                                                                                                

 Fishes are a major source of protein in Ghana. fishes, either boiled, fried, grilled, salted, smoked is very delicious. these methods are also in effect used to preserve the fishes from decaying.

smoked fish and dried fish

it must be added that the fishing activity varies commercial purposes,recreational purposes and management. In my quest to get more findings, knowledge, pictures and videos for these topic, i realized that for  fishing communities like James Town and Chorkor  provides not only a source of food and work but also a community and cultural  identity.