Management Measures Sometimes Drive New Conflicts: Dynamics of Spatial Conflicts in the Keta Lagoon, Ghana During the Marine Artisanal Closed Fishing Season

Ghana’s marine artisanal fisheries contribute to over 70% of national fish production, yet have markedly declined in recent decades. In response, several management interventions have been implemented, including the introduction of closed fishing seasons for marine fleets. Although conflicts within Ghana’s marine fisheries have been extensively documented, the implications of the marine artisanal closed fishing season for coastal lagoons remain unexplored. This study examined the emergence and characteristics of conflicts arising from marine artisanal fishers operating in Ghana’s Keta Lagoon during closed seasons. Fieldwork was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025, employing multistage cluster sampling to interview 420 lagoon fishers. Key Informant Interviews with relevant stakeholders, including fisheries officers, chief fishermen and opinion leaders, complemented this. Of the respondents, 98% were exclusively lagoon fishers, with a mean age of 44.7 ± 13.4 years. The majority (91%) confirmed the presence of marine fishers in the lagoon during seasonal closure. Respondents attributed the drivers to be a need for alternative income (88%) and to specifically target shrimps and crabs (18%) such as the Southern pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus notialis) and the blue crab (Callinectes amnicola). Inter-artisanal conflicts were reported by 39% of respondents, primarily involving spatial and resource-based disputes manifested through verbal confrontations, gear damage, competition for space, and physical fights. Conflicts were generally resolved using traditional mediation avenues. The findings indicate that conflicts can emerge when previously spatially segregated and distinct fishing groups compete for limited coastal resources, leading to socio-economic repercussions. Given additional stressors such as declining catches, climate change, pollution, and coastal erosion, the interaction between marine and lagoon fisheries warrants consideration for formulating co-management strategies to promote equity and sustainability.

Keywords: Conflicts, Keta Lagoon, Closed Season, artisanal fisheries, justice