Nice: Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, emphasized the importance of integrating scientific methods with indigenous ecological wisdom for sustainable fisheries management. Speaking at a side event during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, she urged countries to incorporate indigenous knowledge into their fisheries resource management strategies.
According to Ghana News Agency, the side event, themed 'Bridging Conservation Gaps: Integrating Indigenous Practices for Equitable Fisheries in Ghana,' highlighted the significant role of the fisheries sector in Ghana's economy, food security, and cultural identity. Despite its importance, the sector faces significant challenges such as overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) practices, and climate change. Madam Arthur stressed the need to bridge the gap between traditional stewardship and formal governance by recognizing indigenous systems as central to achieving sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Madam Arthur pointed out the importance of centuries-old practices like taboo fishing zones, sacred groves, and closed fishing days, traditionally observed by Ghanaian fishing communities. These practices serve as critical conservation tools that need to be formally documented and preserved. To leverage this knowledge, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture is implementing the Co-Management Policy for the Fisheries Sector. This includes forming Community-Based Fisheries Management Committees (CBFMCs) and collaborating closely with national fisher associations such as the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council and the National Fish Processors and Traders Association.
She further noted that President John Dramani Mahama has shown strong political will and national commitment by appointing a fisher as an advisor on indigenous knowledge to the Ministry. This move aims to elevate indigenous knowledge systems within environmental and marine policy and institutionalize their role in fisheries governance. Madam Arthur called for a new ocean governance paradigm that recognizes the ocean as a shared heritage, placing indigenous values, leadership, and knowledge at the forefront of conservation initiatives. She emphasized that true sustainability extends beyond ecological balance, encompassing social equity and cultural integrity.
Mr. Murtala Muhammed, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, also highlighted the importance of combining scientific research with community wisdom to tackle biodiversity loss, climate threats, and livelihood insecurities. He underscored that the health of the oceans is closely linked to the well-being of people, advocating for a holistic approach that integrates modern science, local innovation, and inclusive governance to build a resilient blue economy.
Mr. Muhammed reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to the 30‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬30 global target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. He called for greater international collaboration, increased investment in ocean science, and support for community-led conservation efforts. Ghana's involvement in the UN Ocean Conference 2025 underscores the country's leadership in promoting inclusive, knowledge-driven, and resilient approaches to ocean and fisheries governance.
