Tema: Nii Ashitey Odametey, the Tema Awudum Chief Fisherman, has made an urgent appeal to authorities to intensify efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) to help sustain Ghana's marine fish stock.
According to Ghana News Agency, Nii Odametey emphasized that merely implementing closed season measures without addressing the root issues such as IUU would not effectively reverse the decline in the country's fish stock, particularly concerning small pelagic species. He shared these insights during a discussion on artisanal fishers' expectations and strategies for maintaining Ghana's fish stock, especially after being excluded from the closed season starting July 01, 2025.
Nii Odametey pointed out that artisanal fishers have not observed any noticeable improvement in fish stock in recent years, indicating that the closed season alone is not a sufficient solution to the nation's dwindling fish resources. He stressed, "We are not seeing anything from the closed season; there is no improvement. If practices such as IUU continue, no amount of closed season will change anything."
He urged the authorities to utilize the closed season period to enforce IUU laws, suggesting that significant improvements could be seen by December if these measures were effectively implemented. Nii Odametey also called on the Ghana Navy, Marine Police, and other agencies to curb trawlers from depleting the sea of small pelagics and to reinforce policies that would sustain the fisheries sector.
Meanwhile, this year's closed season, aimed at preserving Ghana's marine stock, is scheduled to commence on July 1st and conclude on July 31st for inshore vessels, while industrial trawlers will observe it from July 01 to August 31, 2025. Artisanal fishers, who constitute a significant portion of Ghana's fishing community, are exempt from this year's closed season following a directive from the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
