The Minister-Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has assured Ghanaians that steps are being taken to address the European Union’s concerns over illegal fishing activities, which resulted in Ghana receiving a “Yellow Card.”
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, Arthur highlighted ongoing measures to resolve the issue, including plans to revise the Fisheries Act (Act 625).
She noted that the current legislation inadequately addresses inland fisheries and aquaculture, both of which are critical to meeting the EU’s standards. Arthur emphasized the importance of aligning Ghana’s fisheries regulations with international best practices to restore compliance.
Discussing the economic implications, Arthur revealed that the Yellow Card significantly impacts industrial fishers exporting tuna—a sector contributing nearly $400 million annually to Ghana’s economy. She stressed the urgency of addressing the issue to protect the industry and preserve its role in supporting Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings.
“Illegal, Unreported Unregulated (IUU) activities in fisheries have earned Ghana a Yellow Card. EU outlined a number of things that need to be sorted out so that the yellow card to be lifted. It is my understanding that those activities have begun.
“The Yellow Card affects especially the industrial fishers who catch and export tuna, which brings in a lot of money, nearly $400 million to Ghana. So, we have to do the right things so that the trade will go on for the foreign exchange to come,” she stated.
In 2021, the European Union issued a second yellow card to Ghana, cautioning the country that it risks losing access to the European seafood market if it does not urgently address illegal fishing activities within its exclusive economic zone.
Ghana must now demonstrate significant improvements in its fisheries management practices or face the possibility of a red card from the European Commission. A red card would lead to trade sanctions on seafood exports, severely impacting the country’s economy and fishing industry.
In a statement, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius expressed concern over Ghana’s inadequate efforts to combat illegal fishing. Ghana, which produces an estimated 448,200 metric tons of seafood annually, has yet to implement the necessary measures to meet international standards and address the issue effectively.
The warning highlights the importance of sustainable fisheries management to safeguard both Ghana’s marine resources and its access to global markets.