Parliament passes Fisheries Bill to safeguard $425m seafood exports
By: Rebecca Okine
Parliament has passed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to reform its fisheries sector, restore global confidence, and avert potential trade sanctions from the European Union.
The new law establishes an independent Fisheries Commission tasked with managing, conserving, and developing Ghana’s marine and aquaculture resources. Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Emelia Arthur described the law as a “transformative step” that addresses long-standing compliance issues, particularly those cited by the EU.
“It fills critical gaps in licensing, reporting, and enforcement. This is vital to avoid further trade sanctions, including a red card, which would put over $425 million in annual seafood exports at risk,” the minister said.
Ghana has been under an EU “yellow card” since 2021 for non-cooperation in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Madam Arthur warned that a red card status would severely damage the country’s export economy and hurt livelihoods.
To improve regulation, the new law expands the inshore exclusive zone to 12 nautical miles or a 50-meter depth, helping to protect breeding grounds. The sector supports over 2.7 million Ghanaians, mostly in small-scale fishing.
The reforms also introduce stiffer penalties, real-time vessel monitoring, and a fisheries risk dashboard. So far this year, the ministry has exceeded its inspection targets 265 quayside and 210 pre-departure checks with four trawler licenses suspended for violations.
“In fact, even this dawn, some operations arrested people illegally accessing premix fuel,” the minister stated.
Beyond enforcement, Ghana ratified the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2025. The agreement aims to curb harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and overcapacity.
Madam Arthur also highlighted aquaculture’s growing role in national food security, noting it currently contributes only 17.5 percent to total production. The ministry is focusing on hatchery development, feed production, and value-chain integration under the government’s 24-hour economy and export acceleration agenda.
Plans are also underway to establish Ghana’s first marine protected area at Cape Three Points by 2026. This initiative, supported by scientific studies and stakeholder consultations, forms part of Ghana’s broader conservation strategy.
Additionally, the country has joined a West African marine conservation body to deepen regional cooperation on sustainable ocean resource management. With the new legislation in place, Ghana is positioning itself to strengthen its fisheries sector, secure export markets, and ensure long-term sustainability for future generations.
