Accra: Mr Kofi Agbogah, Director of the non-governmental organisation Hen Mpoano, has warned that Ghana's fisheries could face collapse if artisanal fishers continue to be exempt from the closed season. This concern comes after an announcement by Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, that artisanal (canoe) fishers would be exempt from the 2025 closed season, a measure that inshore fishers and industrial trawlers are expected to observe.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Agbogah highlighted at a media forum hosted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) that the closed season is scientifically supported and legally backed by the Fisheries Act 2002, Act 625. The measure is intended to sustain Ghana's marine fisheries, which have been declining alarmingly over the years. He noted a drastic reduction in fish landings, from 274,000 metric tonnes in 1996 to just 20-22,000 metric tonnes currently, underscoring the need for urgent action.
Mr Agbogah emphasized the importance of allowing the sea time to replenish, warning that continued fishing during the reproductive season could lead to the collapse of pelagic fish stocks, which are crucial to coastal economies. He expressed concern that the new exemption could undermine the progress made by previous closed seasons and called for attention to be focused on the canoe fishers, who are responsible for approximately 70% of the small pelagic catch.
Ghana has been a leader in implementing closed seasons within the sub-region, and Mr Agbogah cautioned that exempting artisanal fishers could weaken this position. He warned of dire consequences, including loss of fisheries, cultural erosion, and increased poverty, as millions of Ghanaians depend on fisheries for their livelihoods.
Mr Agbogah stressed the significance of the fisheries sector, valued at around USD 750 million, contributing one percent to the country's GDP. He warned that the collapse of the fisheries would place immense pressure on the government, which would regret not taking preventive measures. The goal of the closed season is to recover fish stocks to 90,000 tonnes by 2035, and further increases by 2040 if managed correctly.
He concluded by highlighting signs of gradual recovery, noting that disruption of the closed season by fishers could prevent fish from mating successfully, jeopardizing the progress made.
