Methods of Fishing in Ghana: Atidza (Acadja) Brush Park Fishing

Joseph Akagbo and Selassie Tsetsogbi (below) are Atidza/Acadja Blackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) urban fishermen. Atidza/Acadja Method of Fishing in Ghana Atidza (in Ewe) or Acadja (in Ga) fishermen spend more than 4 hours every month digging up an underwater structure consisting mainly of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) branches from the muddy bottoms of the Densu Delta lagoon in order to surround a concentration of Blackchin Tilapia that had mistaken the trap for a habitat. Methods of fishing in Ghana: Joseph Akagbo (left), 49 years, and Selassie Tsetsogbi (right), 48, are engaged in Atidza/Acadja fishing in the Densu Delta in the Ga South Municipality, Accra, Ghana. They used black mangrove brush bundles to create artificial habitat, which attracted wild Blackchin Tilapia. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantBrush Park Fishing in Ghana: Aerial view of urban poor fishermen engaged in Atidza/Acadja brush park fishing — to catch Blackchin Tilapia — in the Densu River in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantBlackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) fishing in Ghana: Densu Delta brush park (Atidza/Acadja) fishermen gradually draw together their net to capture Blackchin Tilapia that had taken up residence in the artificial black mangrove brush bundles. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant The fishermen usually harvest the entrapped fish every 4 weeks. Atidza/Acadja in the Densu River involves sinking felled red mangrove brush bundles into the muddy brackish water to form artificial habitats. This provides a nursery environment for many species, including Blackchin Tilapia. The artificial habitat serves as a sanctuary — a spawning and feeding shelter — for mainly the lagoon Tilapia in the Densu Delta brackish water. Brush Park (Atidza/Acadja) Method of Fishing in Ghana: Blackchin Tilapia fishermen in Ghana pulling up catch after surrounding a brush park with a net. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantAtidza or Acadja Brush Park Method of Fishing: Urban poor fishermen use mangrove brush woods to create artificial habitat to attract Blackhin Tilapia (sarotherodon melanotheron) in the Densu River in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantTilapia fishing in Ghana: Joseph Akagbo (front) and Selassie Tsetsogbi (back) are Atidza/Acadja Blackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) fishermen. They use black mangrove woods to create brush shelters to enhance Blackchin Tilapia production in the Densu Delta in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka ChasantBlackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron): Catch of Blackchin Tilapia on an artisanal canoe in Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant Freshly caught Blackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron). Accra, Ghana. Copyright © 2020 Muntaka Chasant Atidza/Acadja is a major source of livelihood for a lot of fishermen around Dansoman, Tetegu, Glefe, Tsokomey, Bortianor, and Faaanaa. I will be exploring Atidza/Acadja in the Stories section with video and different sets of photographs — including the impact of felling red mangroves on the ecology of the Densu Delta wetland ecosystems.

Methods of Fishing in Ghana: Atidza (Acadja) Brush Park Fishing

Urban Fisherman