By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, May 13, GNA — The destruction of ocean observation systems by fishermen is causing the loss of valuable scientific data needed for fisheries and climate research Fisheries Scientist Edem Mahu has warned.
She thus appealed passionately to fishermen and other maritime users to stop removing or damaging scientific equipment deployed at sea for environmental monitoring and ocean research.
Professor Mahu, a Senior Marine Scientist at the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, said the systems play a critical role in helping scientists understand changing ocean conditions, fisheries productivity, climate change impacts, and the overall health of marine ecosystems that support millions of livelihoods.
“The ocean is changing rapidly. Fish are becoming more difficult to find, fishing grounds are shifting, and weather and sea conditions are becoming less predictable,” she stated.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the don explained that scientists relied heavily on ocean observation systems that continuously collected data on variables such as ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, nutrients, ocean currents, and biological productivity.
The information collected, she said, helped researchers understand fish movement, spawning patterns, ecosystem productivity, and the effects of climate change on fisheries.
“These instruments are not deployed to stop fishing activities or interfere with fishermen. They are there to help us understand the ocean better so we can support fisheries sustainability, improve forecasts, strengthen climate resilience, and protect coastal livelihoods,” Prof. Mahu explained.
She revealed that in 2025, her research team deployed two mooring systems at sea to collect long-term measurements of water temperature after extensive engagement with fishing communities.
According to her, some fishermen even assisted in constructing and deploying the systems, while videos explaining the equipment were shared on community WhatsApp platforms to promote awareness and transparency.
Despite those efforts, she said both mooring systems were eventually removed from the sea by fishermen, resulting in the complete loss of the instruments and months of scientific observations.
“Once these systems are removed or destroyed, we lose information that cannot be recovered,” she lamented.
Prof. Mahu also recounted another incident involving a sediment trap deployed to measure ocean carbon flux, which disappeared within 24 hours after deployment.
She noted that such incidents weakened Ghana’s ability to develop accurate fisheries forecasts, climate adaptation strategies, and early warning systems.
The marine scientist stressed that the maritime space was shared by fishermen, scientists, naval operators, transport vessels, offshore industries, and coastal communities, making cooperation essential.
“The ocean belongs to all of us. Just as scientists respect fishing activities, we also appeal to fishermen and other maritime users to respect scientific infrastructure placed at sea,” she stated.
Prof. Mahu called for stronger collaboration between scientists and fishing communities to protect ocean observation systems and ensure sustainable management of Ghana’s marine resources.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Caption: TM045 Science Ocean Data Pic 1
13 May 2026