Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur
The Executive Director of Journalists for Responsible Fisheries and Environment (JRFE), Kingsley Nana Buadu, has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, to reconsider their decision to exempt artisanal fishers from the annual closed fishing season.
According to him, the Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026) requires the government to enforce a closed fishing season for all fleets to help rebuild Ghana’s depleting fish stocks.
In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb Business, the group urged the Fisheries Ministry to ensure strict adherence to the closed season policy.
Buadu stated that Section 42 of the Fisheries Act (Act 625) mandates the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission to ensure that all fisheries policies and decisions are based on scientific evidence to prevent overexploitation.
“Since the 2014 Fisheries Management Plan came into force, Ghana has been implementing closed seasons since 2016, with the inclusion of artisanal fishers in 2019, after initial challenges with their participation in 2018,” part of the release noted.
“Unfortunately, the current Minister has announced that artisanal fishers will be exempted from this year’s closed season. We find this decision quite concerning, especially considering that Ghana, over the past two years, has succeeded in getting other countries in the sub-region to implement closed seasons for all fleets,” the statement added.
This follows an announcement in March by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, that artisanal fisherfolk will not observe a closed season in 2025.
However, owners of industrial trawl vessels will observe the closed season for two months.
Speaking to Accra-based TV3 in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb Business, the Fisheries Minister stated that this move is not new but rather a modification of the existing management strategy, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s marine and fisheries resources.
“We are modifying the existing management measure known as the closed season. The closed season for semi-industrial and industrial fisheries will remain unchanged. However, in 2025, there will be no closed season for artisanal fishers, I mean the fishers using canoes supported by outboard motors,” she announced.
Previously, artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial trawl fleets observed the closed season from July 1 to August 31, 2024.
This strategy was agreed upon with stakeholders to reduce excessive pressure and overexploitation of marine resources. It is also aimed at replenishing the country’s declining fish stock.
Meanwhile, illegal and unreported fishing activities are said to cost Ghana’s economy more than US$50 million annually.
The fisheries minister has warned individuals engaged in such activities to desist in order to protect the marine sector, or risk facing legal consequences if apprehended.
SA/MA
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