In Ghana’s Western region, especially around Cape Three Points, small-scale fishers and their communities are grappling with the profound impacts of offshore oil discovery, exploration, and drilling (Adjei, 2017). The impacted coastline is about 202 km long, with a population of more than 2 million people, of which the majority are fishers and fish traders (including women who make up 40% of the fishers force, mainly working in processing and sales). Historically reliant on the ocean for their livelihoods, these communities are now confronting significant marginalization and exclusion from their traditional fishing grounds.
Following the oil discovery in the early 2000s (Moss and Young, 2009), the Ghanaian government introduced severe regulations that limited access to traditionally open and used fishing grounds. This move has adversely affected over 150,000 individuals across 113 fishing communities (Akyempon et al., 2013). The resulting decline in fisheries production has drastically reduced fishing communities’ livelihoods and income. Predominantly living below the poverty line, these communities not only depend on fishing for their economic survival but also as a vital source of nutrition.
Before the oil discovery, fishers enjoyed unrestricted access to the coast, allowing them to fish freely at any location and time. This unrestricted access was crucial for their economic stability and community well-being. However, the new restrictions have led to increased food insecurity, poverty, and a significant loss of rights for the fishers. The restrictions have had a ripple effect, impacting not only the fishers but also their families, as the income from fishing is often used for essentials like education and healthcare (Ackah-Baidoo, 2013; Adusah-Karikari, 2015).
Despite their limited influence on national policy and lack of resources for legal battles, these communities have shown resilience. Community-based organizations emerged as an act of resistance, for instance, the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen (Marquette et al., 2002). These organizations have led national campaigns, utilized social networks for advocacy, and organized demonstrations to raise awareness about their fight. Their efforts to negotiate with government agencies for changes in fishing regulations have seen some success, yet the primary goal of unrestricted fishing access remains elusive.
Fishers defying these restrictions face severe consequences, including arrest and destruction of their equipment (Obeng-Odoom, 2014). Moreover, the government has accused fishers opposing offshore oil as influenced by the opposition political party, who are allegedly trying to discredit the current government. There is a pressing demand for capacity building in advocacy and policy development to empower these fishers and enhance their ability to navigate and influence the complex legal and political landscape.
This situation illustrates the inherent complexities of pursuing a Blue Economy, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that balance economic development with the rights and welfare of local communities. Ghana’s case study calls for a more inclusive and equitable approach to managing natural resources, ensuring that the voices and needs of local communities are heard and addressed in the pursuit of economic progress. Moving forward, a blue economy calls for local coastal communities to be included in the process and outcomes of marine spatial planning, especially when limited access is a potential outcome.
