Small‐Scale Fisherfolk Perspectives on Premix Fuel Subsidies and Fisheries Sustainability in Ghana

ABSTRACT

Ghana consumes over 950,000 metric tons of fish annually, yet local fisheries produce only about 410,000 metric tons on average. This leaves a shortfall of 540,000 metric tons, which is largely met through imports. To enhance domestic fish production and meet national protein needs, the Government of Ghana (GoG) has implemented premix fuel subsidies to make fishing more affordable for poor and vulnerable fishers. Within global fisheries governance, fuel subsidies are widely debated as both livelihood‐support mechanisms and capacity‐enhancing instruments with potential ecological consequences. Despite this effort, fish landings continue to dwindle, highlighting growing tensions between livelihood support and fisheries sustainability. So, for conservation purposes, some scientists in Ghana's fisheries sector are advocating the removal of the subsidies. However, fisheries subsidies are increasingly recognised as policy tools whose outcomes depend on stakeholder perceptions and governance effectiveness. It is therefore important to understand how small‐scale fisherfolk perceive premix fuel subsidies within this broader sustainability context. During the study, a total of 1151 fisherfolk from 4 fishing communities along the coast of Ghana were individually interviewed, while 10 in‐depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions involving 7–8 people in a session were also conducted. From the results, the majority of the respondents (93%) were against the total abolishment of the subsidies. The results also showed that distribution of fuel is remarkably associated with hoarding, politicisation and lack of transparency. Considering that fish stocks are declining due to overcapacity driven by premix fuel, it is recommended that the GoG implement a gradual, stakeholder‐inclusive reduction of premix fuel subsidies, with funds reallocated to essential services such as health insurance, pension schemes, soft loans, youth education programmes and alternative livelihood initiatives, thereby providing long‐term benefits to fisherfolk.