Winneba’s Lifeline Dries Up: Fisherfolk Left Stranded as Closed Season Bites

The annual closed fishing season has once again left many fishermen and fishmongers in Winneba struggling to make ends meet, as livelihoods tied to the sea remain on hold for a month.

The ban, which aims to allow fish stocks to replenish, has grounded fishing activities and disrupted economic life in the coastal town. Canoes lie idle along the shore, and the usually busy fish market has gone quiet.

While local fisherfolk acknowledge the importance of conserving marine resources, they say the lack of government or institutional support during the period continues to worsen their hardship.

“We are not against the closed season. We understand the sea needs to rest,” said Akua, a fishmonger with over two decades of experience. “But what about us? How are our families supposed to eat? There is no support, no financial assistance.”

For many households, the one-month break means no income and increasing debt from rent, school fees, and daily expenses.

“The market is the lifeblood of Winneba. When it stops, the whole town feels it,” said Kojo Mensah, a canoe owner. “There are no relief packages, no loans, and no NGOs stepping in to help us. We are completely on our own.”

Community leaders say the situation highlights a long-standing gap in Ghana’s fisheries management, the absence of a structured welfare or compensation system for affected coastal workers.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has previously stated that the closed season is essential to restore fish populations, but many fisherfolk argue that conservation efforts must go hand in hand with livelihood support.

Some residents are calling for direct government dialogue and the introduction of soft loans or alternative livelihood programmes during the ban.

“Resilience alone is not enough,” said Grace Mensah, another fish trader. “We need a plan that protects both the fish and the people.”

As the closed season continues, Winneba’s economy, heavily dependent on fishing, remains at a standstill, with hundreds of families hoping for long-term policies that will balance conservation with economic survival.