Togo fishing sector expands on account of increased artisanal fishing

TOGO – The fishing sector in Togo experienced further growth in 2022 after an 18% increase in artisanal fishing from 2021.

A recent report published by the Togolese Ministry of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal protection confirms that the fishing sector in the country is evolving with fish production via artisanal fishing, increasing from 3,450 tonnes recorded in 2020.

The quantity of fish caught in the last year was estimated at 6,687,015 kg, a 50% increase from 4,129,423 kg in 2021.

This growth is attributed to a number of factors but the most significant development towards enhancing the fishing sector was the opening of the new fishing port in Lomé along with its own fish market.

It cost FCFA20 billion (US$33009) and was built through an alliance between the government of Togo and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The port has a capacity of 3,000 fishermen, 300-400 canoes, and 5,000 wholesalers and fish processors. It is also equipped with infrastructure for the landing, storage, and sale of fish and fish products.

As a result, 4000 tonnes of fish were caught from the port alone in 2021. It has played an important role in job creation thus helping sustain the livelihoods of the adjacent communities.

The total area of water in which fishing is practised in Togo is about 2050 square kilometres with a coastline of about 50 km, continental rivers shallows, and ponds that create the opportunity for fishing and fish farming.

This allows the fishing sector to employ more than 20,000 people and contribute 4.5% of the GDP, as fishing in Togo is done for both social and nutritional purposes.

Unfortunately, regardless of the progressive trend, Togo’s participation in the global fish market is almost insignificant compared to its neighbouring African countries.

This is on account of certain factors such as poor resource management that in turn results in the depletion of aquatic resources, and overfishing, especially by trawlers, industrial fisheries, and foreign fleets who fish in Togolese waters without the appropriate licenses.

The national demand for fish and fishery products is rapidly increasing due to the rapid growth of the country’s population thus creating a gap that Togo’s aquatic industry needs to fill.

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