The Fisheries Commission has stepped up enforcement of Ghana’s new fisheries regulations as part of efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while promoting sustainable fisheries management across the country’s coastal communities.
The announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement and training programme organised to educate fishers and fish processors on responsible fishing practices, fisheries management and compliance with the new regulatory framework.
Speaking at the programme, the Partnership Manager at Blue Ventures Conservation, Nana Kweigyah, said the initiative forms part of efforts to institutionalise community-based fisheries co-management structures that empower local fishing communities to participate in managing marine resources.
According to him, the approach establishes fishers-owned local fisheries management structures where fishermen, canoe owners, fish processors and other fisheries actors meet monthly to discuss challenges affecting their communities, develop practical solutions and implement agreed interventions.
Mr. Kweigyah said empowering communities to take ownership of fisheries management is critical to protecting marine resources while improving the livelihoods of those who depend on the sector.
Some participants said the training had significantly deepened their understanding of responsible fishing practices and the dangers associated with illegal fishing.
One participant noted that the programme provided practical knowledge on maintaining clean landing beaches, educating fellow fishers on sustainable fisheries management and adopting lawful fishing practices.
He acknowledged that many fishers are beginning to realise that engaging in illegal fishing ultimately destroys their own businesses and threatens the future of the industry.
The Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Benjamin Betey Campion, cautioned fishers against engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, stressing that the Commission has intensified enforcement of the new fisheries regulations and will not hesitate to sanction offenders.
He urged fishers and fish processors to comply fully with the regulations by ensuring that fish landed are of acceptable quality, processed using approved technologies and properly preserved throughout the supply chain.
Mr. Campion explained that processors must use recommended processing technologies, while those involved in freezing fish must maintain the cold chain to preserve freshness and ensure consumers receive safe, healthy and high-quality fish products.
He noted that these requirements are clearly stipulated in Ghana’s fisheries laws and regulations and are essential to protecting public health, improving food safety and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country’s fisheries resources.
Mr. Campion reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enforcing the regulations while working closely with fishing communities and development partners to promote responsible fisheries management and safeguard Ghana’s marine resources for future generations.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
