What is fish discards in Ghana?

Fish discards in Ghana was 145,268 in 2018, according to Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest fish discards recorded in Ghana?

The highest recorded value was 151,994 in 1975.

What is the lowest fish discards recorded in Ghana?

The lowest recorded value was 29.4 in 1951.

How does Ghana rank for fish discards?

Ghana ranks 14th out of 161 countries with data for 2018.

Is fish discards rising or falling in Ghana?

Over the last ten years it is up 43.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Ghana data come from?

The figures come from Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Fish discards. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Fish discards in Ghana

Name: Fish discards in Ghana
Creator: Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Ghana: Fish discards was 145,268 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

145,268

Change on year

up 17.6%

World rank

14th

of 161 countries

All-time high

151,994

in 1975

All-time low

29.4

in 1951

Years of data

1950–2018

Fish discards in Ghana, 1950–2018

Source: Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for fish discards in Ghana is 145,268, measured in 2018.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.6% on the previous year and up 43.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, fish discards in Ghana peaked at 151,994 in 1975 and was at its lowest, 29.4, in 1951.

That places Ghana 14th out of 161 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1950s	1,062	29.4	8,037	10
1960s	27,205	2,277	50,842	10
1970s	103,524	42,162	151,994	10
1980s	120,888	103,105	141,250	10
1990s	119,864	107,579	132,385	10
2000s	110,456	97,830	123,762	10
2010s	118,607	93,450	145,268	9

Countries ranked near Ghana

11 India 193,273 compare
12 Spain 174,809 compare
13 Morocco 161,670 compare
15 France 96,060 compare
16 Taiwan 93,770 compare
17 Guinea 85,618 compare

See the full ranking of 161 places →

More agriculture & rural data for Ghana

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 24.30 billion current US$ (2025)
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 21.3% (2025)
Rural population 14.40 million (2025)
Rural population growth 0.5% (2025)
Rural population 41.1% (2025)
Agricultural raw materials imports 1.6% (2023)
Agricultural raw materials exports 1.1% (2023)
Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 21.3% (2025)
Share of GDP from agriculture 21.3% (2025)
Land under cereal production 2.15 million hectares (2023)

All data for Ghana →

Frequently asked questions

What is fish discards in Ghana?: Fish discards in Ghana was 145,268 in 2018, according to Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest fish discards recorded in Ghana?: The highest recorded value was 151,994 in 1975.
What is the lowest fish discards recorded in Ghana?: The lowest recorded value was 29.4 in 1951.
How does Ghana rank for fish discards?: Ghana ranks 14th out of 161 countries with data for 2018.
Is fish discards rising or falling in Ghana?: Over the last ten years it is up 43.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ghana data come from?: The figures come from Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Fish discards. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 69 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Fish discards
Source: Sea Around Us (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 161 places, 9,371 data points, 1950–2018
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Discards are animals thrown back (alive or dead) into the sea after being caught during fishing activities. This represents bycatch (fish caught unintentionally) that is not brought ashore for use.