Fishers’ knowledge, ecological attitudes and perceived aquaculture’s role toward fish diversity conservation in the White Volta Basin, Ghana

Abstract Aquaculture is increasingly promoted as a strategy to enhance fish diversity conservation. Yet factors influencing its acceptance among artisanal fishers as fish diversity conservation tool remains poorly understood and/or documented. This study examined fishing communities’ perceptions of aquaculture as a fish diversity conservation strategy within the White Volta Basin of northern Ghana. It focuses on awareness, ecological attitudes, behavioural support, and policy orientations. Additionally, it identifies factors shaping these perceptions. A cross-sectional survey involving 235 fishers from three fishing communities was conducted using structured questionnaire. The data were analysed through descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. Results revealed that 85.1% of fishers were familiar with aquaculture and 38.7% demonstrated understanding of its ecological functions. Nonetheless, 47.7% of respondents strongly agreed that aquaculture could contribute to conserving wild fish stocks. Ecologically, 83.4% did not perceive aquaculture to be contributing to habitat degradation. Similarly, 83.2% of fishers recognized its potential to enhance fish diversity and 54.0% expressed concerns about invasive species or disease transmission. In terms of governance, 78.2% of fishers supported aquaculture expansion. Likewise, 70.2% of fishers believed that collaboration could enhance conservation outcomes. Factor analysis identified three latent dimensions shaping perceptions: perceived benefits, support for aquaculture development, and environmental risks. Among these, perceived benefits and support for aquaculture development were the most influential dimensions, reflecting strong community endorsement of aquaculture’s conservation potential. However, the environmental risk dimension demonstrated ecological concerns. Though aquaculture presents high social legitimacy as a conservation tool, strengthening ecological literacy and environmental safeguards remains crucial for sustainable adoption.