The warming sea and the mystery of Ghana’s dying fish

Along Ghana's coast, from the bustling shores of Jamestown to the fishing hubs of Elmina and Keta, a palpable sense of unease has settled over the fishing communities. The familiar rhythm of the sea, once a source of sustenance and prosperity, is now marked by lighter catches and escalating prices. Fish processors like Naa Dedei Otoo, who have dedicated decades to their trade, find themselves struggling to make ends meet as the fish they once relied on become increasingly scarce and expensive. This economic hardship is not an isolated incident but a growing reality affecting countless families who depend on the ocean's bounty.

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Today, I won’t light it. What will I even smoke?

For years, the narrative surrounding Ghana's dwindling fish stocks has primarily focused on overfishing and destructive practices like saiko. These issues have dominated public discourse and policy debates, leading to various interventions aimed at regulating fishing activities. However, a more insidious threat is emerging from beneath the waves: the warming of the ocean. Scientists are increasingly highlighting the impact of rising sea temperatures and marine heat waves, akin to droughts on land, which stress marine ecosystems and disrupt the delicate balance of fish populations. This environmental shift poses a significant challenge, demanding a broader understanding beyond traditional fishing management.

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For years, overfishing and illegal practices such as saiko have dominated public debate over Ghana’s collapsing fish stocks. But scientists say another threat is rising beneath the surface: warming oceans.

The recurring spectacle of dead fish washing ashore, as witnessed in April 2021 and again in April 2026, serves as a stark visual reminder of the ocean's distress. These events, accompanied by the unfortunate sight of dead dolphins in 2021, have understandably sparked fear and concern within coastal communities. While investigations by the Fisheries Commission and other authorities have pointed towards a combination of environmental stressors, including elevated sea temperatures, oxygen depletion, and pollution, a definitive single cause remains elusive. This uncertainty, coupled with the visible signs of ecological imbalance, leaves many grappling with the complex realities of a changing marine environment.

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This creates a dangerous imbalance. As oceans warm, fish need more oxygen, but warmer water holds less oxygen. That stress can reduce survival, disrupt migration and alter entire ecosystems.

Professor Rashid Sumaila, a leading fisheries economist, articulates the scientific perspective, explaining that warmer waters hold less oxygen, creating a stressful environment for fish that require more oxygen to survive. This physiological stress can lead to reduced survival rates, disrupted migration patterns, and a fundamental alteration of entire marine ecosystems. For the artisanal fishers like Kwesi Arhinful, who navigate these waters daily, the implications are profound. Their livelihoods, deeply intertwined with the health of the sea, are now threatened by forces beyond their immediate control, necessitating a collective response that addresses both sustainable fishing practices and the overarching challenge of climate change impacting our oceans.

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He described prolonged periods of unusually high sea temperatures as marine heat waves—climate shocks that can last weeks or months and affect marine life much like drought affects crops on land.