Joma Agbozome fisherfolks fight algae growth
Fishermen in Joma Agbozome in the Ga West District in the Greater Accra Region are fighting the growth of algae which hinders effective fishing activities.
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Due to the growth of algae, known as algae bloom, on the surface of the Densu River, the fishermen are unenable to fish with ease in the river.
According to the fishermen, the weeds entangled their fishing nets, destroying them in the process.
Algae bloom is the rapid accumulation of algae in an aquatic system. The substance, which is greenish in colour, has a harmful effect on the environment.
Experts have indicated that algae emits nitrogen, sulphur and even methane gases, with serious environmental implications.
This came to light at a community interaction organised by the Rural Urban Partnership for Africa (RUPFA) Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, to commemorate this year’s World Water Day at Joma Agbozome in the Ga West District.
Abolishing negative fishing practices
Speaking during the community interaction, the leaders of the fishing community said they had abolished some negative fishing practices, such as the use of chemicals, light fishing, farming along the river and indiscriminate defaecation along the river.
Additionally, they had minimised a fishing practice known as ‘Atidza’ by which pieces of sticks are positioned in the water, lined with a fishing net and covered with palm fronds.
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According to them, that practice ended up creating a nutritious spot for the growth of algae.
The Chief Fisherman of the Joma Fish Farmers Association, Mr Isaac Woyome, noted that fishing was the main source of livelihood in the community but the fish stock in the Densu River had reduced drastically in recent years.
“We have realised that if we do not protect water resources, we will soon be out of jobs and that will increase the poverty situation in this area,” he stated.
A fisherman, Mr David Kpelogo, was worried about human activities upstream in communities in the Eastern Region which served as the source of the Densu River, stating: “When it rains, we see the waste washing downstream, though we are protecting the water and trying to do all the right things here. Those upstream may be polluting the water and that has an adverse effect on all of us.”
A fishmonger, Madam Joyce Soglo, called on the government and other institutions mandated to protect water resources in the country to strictly enforce the laws on the protection of green belts and buffer zones along the river.
She also noted that residents did not have information on where to file complaints against people who encroached on the protected areas and polluted the water, adding: “Our lives are at risk here. When you report to the police, your cover is blown and you are attacked. We need a complaint centre where such cases would be treated as confidential.”
Protecting water bodies
The Executive Director of RUPFA, Mr Richard Ashaley, said the theme for this year’s World Water Day underscored the need to protect water bodies, saying: “When we protect our water sources, we will have better jobs.”
He noted that some human activities, such as washing in the river or near it, open defaecation, dumping of household waste in the river and illegal fishing practices polluted the water body.