Marine ecotourism identified as immediate opportunity in blue economy

Dr Isaac Okyere, Senior Lecturer in Fisheries Science and Ocean Governance, the Africa Ocean Institute at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has identified marine ecotourism as one of the most immediate opportunities for Ghana within the blue economy space.

According to him, despite Ghana’s population of about 30 million, only a small fraction of citizens had experienced offshore marine activities, presenting significant untapped potential.

Dr Okyere proposed collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and the fisheries sector to develop structured marine tourism, leveraging the expertise of artisanal fishermen.

“These fishermen know the sea. They can guide visitors to areas where marine life such as dolphins can be observed,” he said.

He was speaking at a media forum empowered by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on the theme, “UCC’s Africa Ocean Institute: Positioning Ghana as a Hub for Marine Research, Policy and Blue Economy Growth”.

He noted that other areas such as marine biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, including the utilisation of seaweed like Sargassum, held promise but require medium-to long-term investment in research and innovation.

Ocean energy, he added, remained a long-term prospect due to the high cost of infrastructure and technology required.

He disclosed that the Africa Ocean Institute was also focused on developing a data-driven approach to ocean governance, noting that a regional ocean and coastal data hub had already been established to support the collection and integration of marine data for policy formulation.

He said the goal was to ensure that decisions regarding marine protected areas, fisheries management, and coastal development were guided by accurate data and scientific evidence.

“We want to move from a resource-extractive approach to one that is knowledge-based and innovative-driven,” he stated.

Source: GNA

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