Gov’t Suspends Licences of Four Industrial Trawl Vessels for Illegal Fishing Practices

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, has suspended the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels operating within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) following repeated violations of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968).

The suspended vessels include Meng Xin 10, owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.; Florence 2, owned by Akrafi Fisheries; and Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608, both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd. These vessels were found to have engaged in illegal fishing practices such as unauthorised transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones, and harvesting juvenile fish. These activities pose a significant threat to Ghana’s marine ecosystem, compromise sustainable fisheries management, and harm the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.

The ministry invoked Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), which grants the minister the authority to suspend licences of vessels involved in repeated illegalities. The suspension takes effect from April 1, 2025, and will last for 12 months.

Ghana’s fisheries sector has long been plagued by overfishing and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which threaten marine biodiversity, diminish artisanal fishers’ income, and compromise national food security. Illegal transshipment, locally known as Saiko, has been a particularly damaging practice, contributing to the depletion of critical fish stocks and undermining marine governance.

Section 132 of the Fisheries Act, 2002, criminalises illegal transshipment, while Regulation 33(2) of L.I. 1968 explicitly prohibits transshipment between industrial vessels and canoes. These practices not only violate domestic laws but also breach international commitments, hindering Ghana’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use oceans and marine resources.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations, emphasising its resolve to safeguard Ghana’s marine resources for current and future generations.

The ministry warned all fishing operators—industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal—to fully comply with the law. It stressed that continued violations would attract severe penalties, including licence suspensions, cancellations, and potential legal action.

Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, education, and regulatory reforms, some industrial fishing operators continue to defy regulations.

The ministry assured the public of its dedication to combating illegal fishing practices and promoting responsible and sustainable fisheries management in Ghana.

This decisive action aims to protect the marine environment, restore fish stocks, and ensure the long-term viability of Ghana’s fisheries sector.

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