A Review of Ghanas Aquaculture Industry

The growth of the global aquaculture industry has been sporadic over the last 50 years, and the global production capabilities of culture and capture fisheries are almost comparable [1]. In Africa, fish culture has grown tremendously due to advances in feed formulation, and the use of better culture facilities such as cages [2]. Even as Asia has become elephantine in aquaculture, Africa as a continent is yet to report any important additions of aquaculture on the world ordered series even though there are many available natural resources in many regions of the continent [3]. Aquaculture continues to grow more rapidly than all other animal producing sectors. According to FAO [4], developing countries‟ contribution by weight increased from 73% in 1979 to 90% in 1998. However, this dramatic increase in production is skewed on a regional basis in favour of Asia. For example, in 1998, aquaculture productions by weight according to the region were as follows: Europe, about 5%; South America, less than 2%; Africa and Oceania, about 0.5% each [5,6]. Moreover, according to FAO (2000), the numbers of fish farmers in the world increased from 7.07 million in 1998 to 7.47million in 2000. The corresponding numbers for 1998 (2000) by region were: Asia, 6.67 (7.13) million; North and Central America, 191,000 (190,000); Africa 56,000 (75,000); South America, 41,000 (41,000) and Oceania 5,000 (5,000). Taken the above into consideration, Africa continues to be a minor player in the global aquaculture industry even though the continent has a natural potential for aquaculture production. Tilapia production which is aboriginal to the African continent has not seen any important growth or development. Nevertheless, according to FAO Africa still has a great potential. For instance, the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus mondon) which is cultured in Madagascar, Eucheuma seaweed in Tanzania and as well as abalone (Haliotis spp) in South Africa [7].