The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, along with the Fisheries Commission, announced the suspension of licenses for four industrial trawl vessels operating within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) due to repeated violations of the Fisheries Act of 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations of 2010 (L.I. 1968).
The suspended vessels—Meng Xin 10, owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.; Florence 2, owned by Akrafi Fisheries; and Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608, both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.—were found to have engaged in illegal fishing activities including unauthorized transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones, and the capture of juvenile fish.
The Ministry stated that these actions have not only jeopardized the country’s marine ecosystem but also undermined sustainable fisheries management and harmed the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. In a statement released Tuesday, the Ministry emphasized that the vessels’ licenses have been suspended for a period of 12 months, effective April 1, 2025.
Illegal fishing, particularly transshipment (referred to locally as Saiko), continues to plague Ghana’s fishing sector. These practices are blamed for depleting fish stocks, diminishing the incomes of artisanal fishers, and threatening food security. Furthermore, such actions violate international obligations and impede Ghana’s progress toward meeting Sustainable Development Goal 14, which advocates for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to stringent enforcement of fisheries laws, warning that further violations could result in harsher sanctions, including license revocations and legal action. It called on all fishing operators—industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal—to comply with regulatory standards.
Despite ongoing reforms and dialogue with stakeholders, certain operators continue to flout the regulations. The Ministry underscored its resolve to foster sustainable fisheries management for the benefit of both current and future generations.
Source:TheDotNews