A survey for the conservation of dolphins in Ghanaian coastal waters
Ofori-Danson, P.K.; Van Waerebeek, K.; Debrah, S. (2003). A survey for the conservation of dolphins in Ghanaian coastal waters. Journal of the Ghana Science Association 5(2): 45-54 In: Journal of the Ghana Science Association. Ghana Science Association: Accra. ISSN 0855-3823, more |  |
| Authors | | Top | - Ofori-Danson, P.K.
- Van Waerebeek, K., more
- Debrah, S.
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| Abstract | Surveys were undertaken to identify common dolphin species landed by local fishers in the coastal waters of Ghana between 1998 and 2000. Altogether, 14 out of the known 18 dolphin species in the West African sub-region were identified. They were predominated by the clymene dolphin, Stenella clymene (35%) followed by the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuate (1 7%), the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (1 6%), and Risso 's dolphin, Grampus griseus (7%). Although some coastal communities traditionally revere dolphins, pressure from rapid population growth and declining fish catches have currently made them immediate food need because their meat is consumed fresh or smoked. The main threats of concern are unregulated directed or accidental killing by drift gill-nets (DGN), purse seine and use of the meat as baits for catching sharks whose fins attract scarce foreign exchange. The increasing pressures from these artisanalfisheries call for en forcement of existing national conservation legislation (Wildlife Conservation Regulation, 1971 or Legislative Instrument, 685) and adoption of new measures to address the protection of dolphins. In support of this effort, some short-term and long-term interventions needed to protect the dolphins are discussed for their conservation because they are considered a potential source of eco-tourism "dolphin-watching". |
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