Abstract:
This study assessed the vulnerability and coping livelihood strategies of
fishermen within the context of declining marine fisheries in Elmina, Ghana.
One hundred and fifty-five (155) fishermen were purposively selected for
questionnaire interviews from January to March 2017. The results showed that
most of the fishermen depended heavily on fishing as a major source of
livelihood. Nonetheless, their income levels were trifled due to declining
fisheries. The vulnerability index of the community proved to be significantly
high. The coping livelihood strategies were largely informal, comprising
farming and trading, among others. A little over half of the fishermen were
willing to leave the fishing sector for different livelihoods, given other
prospects. It is concluded that improving livelihoods in the community will
require strengthening supplementary livelihood occupations, and educating
fishers on the dangers of using illicit fishing methods are required for the
growth of the sector and enhancement of income levels of fishermen.
