Accra: Artisanal fishers in Ghana have commended and welcomed the Presidential Assent to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025, which, among others, expanded Ghana's Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from six nautical miles to 12 nautical miles.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Canoe and Fishing Gear Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), which had advocated for the bill in its formulation stages, expressed their satisfaction with the development. 'On behalf of all artisanal fishers and workers in the small-scale fisheries sector of Ghana, CaFGOAG welcomes the Presidential Assent to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025,' they stated.
They noted that the milestone is a source of pride for artisanal fishers, whose voices have been heard. The association emphasized their commitment to working with the government and other partners to ensure the new law brings significant changes to the waters and communities.
Nana Kweigyah, CaFGOAG National President, highlighted the longstanding challenges artisanal fishers face due to competition from industrial fishing trawlers encroaching into nearshore fishing grounds. These trawlers harvest small pelagic species, vital to the artisanal fisheries sector.
He stressed that the IEZ expansion provides stronger legal backing to protect nearshore waters reserved for artisanal fishing, offering renewed hope for the recovery of small pelagic species and fishery resources. This recovery is crucial for sustaining fishing communities reliant on the sea for food, work, and cultural identity.
Fishers commend the Ghanaian Parliament and government for addressing the concerns of fishing communities and taking decisive steps to enhance fisheries governance. CaFGOAG expressed particular gratitude to the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), for her leadership in completing, passing, and securing assent for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025. They also thanked their partners, especially the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition, for their technical support in the legislative review process.
The association called on the Fisheries Commission, the Fisheries Enforcement Unit, and relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the expanded IEZ. They pledged their commitment to promoting responsible fishing practices, collaborating with enforcement agencies, and supporting initiatives to reduce Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Additionally, the government is encouraged to complement the IEZ expansion with effective co-management structures, participatory monitoring and surveillance, and the integration of indigenous knowledge and local practices in fisheries management. Investments in fisheries infrastructure and scientific research involving artisanal fishers' participation in data collection and analysis are also vital for securing sustainable fisheries for Ghana.
