Gov’t Pledges Close Collaboration with Industrial Trawlers on Implementation of Fisheries Act 2025

By Naillatu Iddrisu 

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has assured industrial trawler operators of government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and consultative implementation of the Fisheries Act, 2025 (Act 1146), aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s marine resources and sustaining the sector for future generations.

Speaking at a day’s stakeholder workshop in Tema, the Minister said government would put in place adequate administrative and operational measures to facilitate compliance with the new legal framework without disrupting legitimate fishing activities.

The engagement, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, brought together members of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and the Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) to deliberate on key provisions of the Act and discuss implementation modalities.

Shared Responsibility for Sustainability

Madam Arthur reaffirmed government’s determination to work closely with industry players to ensure the effective enforcement of Act 1146, describing compliance as a shared responsibility critical to protecting Ghana’s dwindling fish stocks.

She noted that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overcapacity and weak enforcement mechanisms had in recent years placed immense pressure on marine resources, necessitating stricter regulatory reforms under the new law.

“The sustainability of our fisheries sector depends on collective action. Compliance is not punitive; it is protective. It is about securing jobs, livelihoods and food security for generations to come,” she stated.

According to the Minister, the Act introduces updated monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, promotes transparency in licensing, and strengthens conservation measures to rebuild fish stocks while ensuring fair participation of industrial operators.

She assured participants that government would intensify stakeholder consultations, provide technical guidance where necessary, and collaborate with industry associations to address operational concerns arising from the law’s rollout.

Parliamentary Support

Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs and Member of Parliament for Wa East, Godfred Seidu Jassaw, also pledged Parliament’s readiness to support efforts to address emerging challenges under the new regime.

He urged industry operators to act in the broader national interest, cautioning that the collapse of the fisheries sector would have dire economic and social consequences.

“If this sector fails, the impact will be far-reaching — from employment to food supply and foreign exchange earnings,” he warned, stressing that lawmakers remained open to dialogue to fine-tune implementation where necessary.

Industry Readiness

Industry representatives at the workshop expressed optimism about deeper collaboration with the Ministry. A vessel owner, Mr Hussah, indicated that players within the sector were prepared to comply with policies and interventions aimed at revitalising the industry.

He emphasised the need for consistent engagement between regulators and operators to ensure that implementation challenges are addressed promptly and constructively.

Strengthening Collaboration

The meeting sought to provide the Minister with an opportunity to directly engage leaders of GITA and GTA, identify key operational bottlenecks, and explore practical strategies for strengthening cooperation between government and the industrial fishing sub-sector.

Ghana’s fisheries industry remains a vital contributor to national food security, employment and export revenue. Authorities have, however, repeatedly warned that overfishing and weak compliance with regulations threaten the long-term viability of the sector — a concern Act 1146 is designed to address.

The workshop in Tema signals what officials describe as a renewed commitment to partnership, accountability and sustainable resource management in Ghana’s marine fisheries space.