ABSTRACT
Before the Volta Lake formed the river's fisheries fell into four groups, estuarine grounds, tidal, upper, and creek fisheries. The three latter were almost entirely undertaken by Tongu who can be found fishing in inland waterways throughout West Africa. Before incorporation into the Lake fisheries existed on stretches north of Amedica and included Volta tributaries such as the Oti, Afram and Black Volta Rivers. Between 1945 and 1952 the Fisheries Department kept records of hauls and catches of two seine nets which were operated at Adidome and Volo, both within five miles of Battor. In 1964 fishing earnings increased considerably to £8314 though only 24 out of the 50 men recorded actually lived in Battor village. The growth pattern of lake fisheries in Africa has however shown some fall off after an initial period of three to five years and there is already some evidence that this is happening in the Volta Lake.
