The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, has suspended the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels for breaching Ghana’s fisheries laws.
The affected vessels—Meng Xin 10 (owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.), Florence 2 (owned by Akrafi Fisheries), as well as Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608 (owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.)—were cited for multiple infractions that threaten marine sustainability and the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.
A statement issued on April 1 outlined the violations, which include unauthorized transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted areas, and harvesting juvenile fish. These practices contravene the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968), undermining efforts to protect Ghana’s marine resources.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a significant challenge, with illicit activities such as ‘Saiko’—the illegal transshipment of fish—contributing to the depletion of fish stocks. Ghanaian fisheries laws strictly prohibit such activities, with Section 132 of Act 625 criminalizing transshipment and Regulation 33(2) of L.I. 1968 explicitly banning transshipment between industrial vessels and canoes.
In line with Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, the Ministry has imposed a 12-month suspension on the licences of the offending vessels, effective April 1, 2025. This enforcement action forms part of broader regulatory efforts to curb illegal fishing and promote sustainable marine management.
Despite continuous education and stakeholder engagements, some fishing operators continue to flout the law. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strict enforcement, warning all fishing operators—including industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal fishers—to comply with the law or face sanctions, including further suspensions, licence cancellations, and legal action.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission remain resolute in their mission to ensure responsible fisheries management for current and future generations. For further inquiries, stakeholders may contact the Acting Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Prof. Benjamin Campion, via phone at 024-777-6666 or email at benjamin.campion@fishcom.gov.gh.
