Status of Cage Fish Farming on the Lake Volta in Ghana

Cage fish farming, carried out mainly on the Lake Volta, is a relatively new development in Ghana with concerns raised on its potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts.  The study was carried out in the Volta catchment in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region of Ghana to examine the status and cultural practices of cage fish farming in the Lake Volta. Twenty-three cage farmers with cages located on the Volta were examined through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. Relevant information and data collected included demographic and educational background of farmers, sources of income, age of farmers, farming practices, sources of inputs and level of production. Only 23% of the farm owners depended solely on the fish farm for their incomes. Cage farming remains a male-dominated activity, with ages ranging from 35 to 65 years and about 50% aged 50-65. Fingerlings were obtained from three main sources: the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Private small scale, and individual commercial hatcheries. Production system remained intensive with stocking densities of 23 to 96 fingerlings/m³.  Total fish production for small-medium scale farms varied from 1 tonne to over 5,000 tonnes in 2013; with feed conversion ratio ranging from 1.5 to 2.0. High cost of feed, lack of adequate fingerlings, lack of capital, poaching and water quality problems remain leading constraints to viable operations.  Conflicts on space and access between lake artisanal fishermen and cage farmers remain a formidable setback.  There is a massive potential for cage fish production with a ready local market, and this is corroborated by Ghana government's annual fish imports of over USD 20 million. Evidence of deleterious environmental impacts remain is low and insignificant.