Lots of fish as well as dead dolphins have been reported in recent days off the Ghanaian coast. An investigation is underway to determine the causes of this accident, unparalleled in this English-speaking West African country. A team of experts from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture went to the website.
The locations of fish and dolphins, in the hundreds, stretched for miles of coastline. Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo has never seen so many. Co-founder of the local NGO Plastic Punch, which aims to combat plastic pollution, was surprised on Friday by discovering a dozen dead fish in Nungua, in the Accra region, the capital. And even more so when the same phenomenon was repeated elsewhere, in greater numbers.
“This is the first time we have seen such a large number of fish washed up on beaches, and if we consider Ghana’s 550 kilometers of coastline. It is the first time a similar phenomenon occurs in several places at the same time, namely: Axim, which is located in the Far East, Osu and Nungua, which are located near the center and Keta, which is located furthest west. This is the first time this has happened and everyone is shocked. ”
The difference is that in Keta there were dolphins and other fish, while in Osu and Nungua there were more small fish. We think they may be two different phenomena, but it is still too early to say.
Richmond Kennedy Quiarcoo of Plastic Punch: “There Can Be Two Different Phenomena”
Responsible Chinese ships?
Among the species found are pelagic fish, such as lestoner, or demersal fish, such as balloon fish. These are rare species that Ghanaians are not used to consuming.
A warning has also been issued to consumers by the authorities, explains Kojo Opong Nkrumah, government spokesman: “This is because we are concerned that we have warned fishermen and fishmongers along the coast not to be tempted to consume or sell it washed up on the beaches , but for the investigation to go to the end. ”
A decision that risks further weakening public confidence in fishing, says Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo. For the latter, the cause of these mysterious fish deaths would be found in the aggressive fishing of Chinese boats. The first conclusions of the investigation will be revealed on Wednesday.
