Light Fishing

Light fishing practice involves the technique of aggregating fish by artificial light thereby harvesting fish by hooking, gill-netting or purse seine. Some Fisher folks in Ghana, in recent times, employ the use of light equipment such as power generators, 1000 Megawatts bulbs, Switchboards and electric wires or cables to enhance their fishing activity thereby increasing catch. This activity is regarded by many as one of the most advanced, efficient and successful method for aggregating fishes. The study was conducted to analyze this practice in two coastal communities noted amongst others for artisanal fishing namely, Ahwiam and Lekpongunor located in the Ningo-Prampram District, with due cognizance to its sustainability, how informed fisherfolks are with respect to light fishing and the fishing regulations involving such operations. The study identified this fish aggregating method as environmentally-unfriendly due to overfishing and the discard caused by catching of immature stocks and high rate of bycatch.