Coping with climate variability and non-climate stressors in the West African Oyster (Crassostrea tulipa) fishery in coastal Ghana

In Ghana, coastal shell fishery resources, particularly oysters, are envisaged to be heavily affected by changes in climate. The potential impacts will result from sea level rise, salinity changes and ocean acidification. The Whin Estuary, located at longitude 10 48 W and latitude 40 56 N of the Western Region of Ghana, is one of the few pristine coastal wetlands in the region with live oyster populations and a potential for fisheries sustenance. This paper examines adaptation strategies to changes in climate among female and male oyster collectors, constraints in the choice of adaptation strategies and land use stressors affecting the oyster fishery in Ghana. Participatory approaches such as participant observation, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to gather data on the indigenous knowledge of the fishery and climate variability. In the fishery, 60 % of female oyster collectors adapt to prolonged dry periods through value chain addition practices and 45 % are practicing other indigenous practices. The men adapt to changes in climate mainly by diversification. Kendall tau-b correlation analysis performed on adaptation practices showed no significant correlation (r = −0.667; p = 0.174) between the adaptation practices ranked by male and female oyster collectors. There was a strong significant correlation (p = 0.05; r = 0.619) between constraints in the choice of adaptations among fishers. Presence of sewage outlets was the major threat (8), followed by uncontrolled mangrove cutting (7), sand winning (6) and the least of the threats were refuse dumps (4) and farming activities (3) following procedures of Battisti et al. (Biodiversity and Conservation 18 (11): 3053–3060, 2009) and Salafsky et al. (2003) ranking methods. In the context of climate variability, female oyster collectors may be more resilient in the oyster business than men; hence, they should be well resourced through capacity-building training programs. There is need for a redress of non-climate stressors by stakeholders through sensitization and strengthening of existing bye-laws. Proactive adaptive mechanisms blending both indigenous and scientific research-based strategies are essential for resilience in the phase of climate variability and sustainability of any management decision in fisheries.