Elmina fishing fleet in Ghana
Adobe Stock
The President of Ghana has approved the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill without amendments, which will protect the country's small-scale fishers and strengthen food security, as confirmed by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill includes the expansion of Ghana's Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles, which will protect artisanal fishers from industrial trawlers. Over 200,000 small-scale fishers and millions of Ghanaians who depend on this activity will benefit.
In addition, Ghana is aligning more closely with the values of the European Union by implementing stricter measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and improving transparency in fisheries.
"By supporting small-scale fishers, safeguarding food security, and tackling illegal industrial fishing head-on, Ghana has set a course for a sustainable and equitable future. We commend the President, Minister Arthur and Ghana's parliament for this bold step forward," assured CEO and Founder of EJF, Steve Trent.
According to EJF, over 90% of small-scale fishers report a decline in catches, and populations of small pelagic species such as sardinella have decreased significantly.
Finally, the NGO calls for the swift implementation of these regulations, with effective monitoring, transparent governance, and strong penalties for illegal operators.
