Accra: Artisanal fishers who are members of the Greater Accra Regional Branch of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) have backed calls for the legal extension of Ghana's Inshore Exclusive Zone.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Reuben Jefferson Daker Ocansey, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of CaFGOAG, emphasized at a press conference the urgent need to extend and enforce the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ). He described the IEZ as the last buffer protecting the livelihoods and nutrition of thousands of urban coastal families.
Mr. Ocansey highlighted that the IEZ serves as a lifeline for over three million Ghanaians whose livelihoods, nutrition, and culture depend on a healthy and accessible marine ecosystem. The zone is specifically designated for small-scale fishers and plays a critical role in ensuring food security and income generation, particularly in urban communities where coastal resources face severe strain.
In recent years, the IEZ has faced intense pressure from industrial vessels fishing too close to shore, often violating existing laws. This has resulted in declining fish catches for artisanal fishers, damage to fishing gear and canoes, and degradation of marine habitats. Such challenges further weaken local communities' motivation to engage in conservation efforts.
The association has therefore called on Parliament to prioritize the extension and strict enforcement of the IEZ, reserving it as a critical area for artisanal fishers. Mr. Ocansey indicated that this aligns with the 2022-2026 Marine Fisheries Management Plan, which provides for the IEZ's extension as the government's recognition of the need to protect the IEZ, artisanal fisheries, and marine habitats.
