Accra: Some stakeholders in the fishing sector have raised concerns over the scientific rationale behind the government's decision to extend Ghana's Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ). The extension, from six nautical miles to 12 nautical miles, is part of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025, passed by Parliament in July.
According to Ghana News Agency, the bill, presented by Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, aimed to review and consolidate laws for sustainable fisheries resource exploitation. However, the extension of the IEZ was met with skepticism during a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). Key figures such as Mr. Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, Vice President of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), and Mr. Gilbert Paa Kwesi Sam, Deputy Executive Director of the Blue Economy and Governance Consult, voiced their concerns, asserting that the decision lacked a scientific foundation.
Mr. Amarfio emphasized that establishing an IEZ requires robust scientific backing, noting, "Fishing is science. You need to first establish which resources are available in the area you are asking people to go and fish." Mr. Sam further argued that the extension was influenced by political promises and emotions rather than scientific research.
Explaining the maritime zones, Mr. Amarfio outlined the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) framework, which designates a maritime domain for countries, including Ghana's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles. He noted that the continental shelf could extend up to 350 nautical miles. Within the 200 nautical miles, the inland waters extend 12 nautical miles from the baseline, forming the territorial sea.
Mr. Amarfio highlighted the importance of scientific validation for such extensions, stressing that the decision should not be discriminatory to territorial water users. He emphasized the need for clarity regarding fishing activities beyond the 12 nautical miles, particularly for bottom trawling.
He further explained that fishing vessel sizes varied, and smaller vessels might lack the capacity to operate effectively in the extended zone. Without proper experimentation and assessment, the extension could potentially collapse parts of the fishing sector, posing risks to both livelihoods and safety.
Security and patrolling issues must also be addressed, Mr. Amarfio cautioned, citing past incidents of armed bandit activity near Apam within Ghana's territories. He urged for a comprehensive evaluation of the extension's economic impact and feasibility.
The stakeholders stressed that careful consideration of all aspects of the extension is crucial to ensure that the fishing industry can sustainably thrive while safeguarding the interests of all involved parties.
