The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, has lifted the close fishing season ban for artisanal fishermen, effective in the 2025 fishing season.
However, industrial trawlers will still need to adhere to the two-month restriction.
The Minister stressed that exempting artisanal fishermen from the close fishing season aligns with the government’s goal to safeguard the livelihoods of small-scale fishermen while protecting Ghana’s fish stocks for future generations.
Ghana’s previous administration implemented the close fishing season as a proactive conservation effort, aiming to replenish depleted fish stocks within the country’s territorial waters.
This measure received endorsement from the scientific community, who emphasized its importance in combating overfishing, as well as illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing practices. These unsustainable practices have severely impacted fish populations, particularly small pelagic.
Ghana’s fisheries sector is a vital source of livelihood, providing direct and indirect employment opportunities to approximately two million people, with a significant majority engaged in artisanal and small-scale fishing.
Fish remains a staple protein source for many households, underscoring the industry’s importance. Minister Arthur‘s announcement, which lifts the close fishing season ban for artisanal fishermen, aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promise to support these fishermen while preserving traditional conservation practices, such as the customary Tuesday fishing ban.
To minimize the potential consequences of lifting the ban, local scientists have been commissioned to identify and designate critical conservation areas in the Gulf of Guinea. This initiative includes the establishment of a protected buffer zone around Cape Three Points, where fishing activities will be strictly regulated to safeguard the region’s marine biodiversity.
Minister Arthur has also demanded transparency from the premix fuel committees set up by the previous administration, urging them to disclose how funds earmarked for community development have been utilized. To recall, premix fuel sales revenue is supposed to be divided among stakeholders, with 53% dedicated to community development initiatives and 47% allocated to the premix fuel committees themselves.
The exemption from the close fishing season may bring temporary relief to artisanal fishermen, but experts caution that a lack of rigorous enforcement of conservation measures could exacerbate the depletion of Ghana’s fish stocks.
To prevent this, it’s crucial to tackle illegal fishing practices head-on and implement sustainable fisheries management strategies. This will ensure the long-term preservation of Ghana’s marine resources for future generations.
Author: Dorothy Donkor
