Fishing for Equality and Sustainability

Oct 9, 2019 | Jamie Wen-Besson and Catherine Wahlen
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In a wooden boat on the estuary of the Densu River in Ghana, Cecila dips a salinator into the water and declares that the salinity is only two parts per thousand. With a small frown, she runs another simple test that indicates the water clarity is only one foot deep.

These findings tell her that the day’s conditions are not ideal for the potential oyster seed site that she and her fellow Densu Oyster Pickers Association (DOPA)1 members have been monitoring. DOPA members will return twice a week to record data and identify the ideal locations for their oyster sanctuaries, with the aim of replenishing a formerly flourishing habitat.