Mahama Signs Landmark Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025 Act to Safeguard Livelihoods and Sustainability

President John Dramani Mahama has assented to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, officially enacting it into law as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146).

The move marks a historic milestone in Ghana’s fisheries governance, introducing sweeping reforms to ensure sustainability, compliance, and improved livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians who depend on the sector.

The legislation, which Parliament passed in July 2025, represents a transformative shift towards building a sustainable, equitable, and economically viable fisheries and aquaculture sector aligned with international best practices.

Key Provisions of the Act

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, Act 1146, sets out several bold reforms designed to strengthen the sector:

• Independent Fisheries Commission: Establishes a fully autonomous commission responsible for developing, managing, and conserving Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture resources.
• Strengthened Legal Framework: Aligns Ghana’s fisheries laws with international standards, improving global reputation and securing access to foreign markets.
• Safeguarding Exports: Protects more than $425 million in annual seafood exports by closing compliance gaps and shielding Ghana from possible trade sanctions.
• Stricter Enforcement: Introduces tougher penalties to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aimed at restoring depleted fish stocks and preserving marine biodiversity.
• Fisherfolk Protection: Enhances safety, security, and welfare for crew members and workers aboard fishing vessels.
• Expanded Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ): Extends the zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles, protecting breeding grounds and boosting catches for over 2.7 million artisanal fishers, thereby strengthening food security.

A Step Toward Sustainability

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has hailed the law as a landmark achievement, saying it secures Ghana’s fisheries resources, protects the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, and positions the country to meet international compliance standards.

“This is a bold step toward long-term sustainability,” the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry said in a statement. “The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, not only strengthens governance but also ensures that our fishers, traders, and processors benefit from a sector that is both equitable and economically viable.”

The government has emphasised that the Act will play a crucial role in balancing ecological conservation with economic growth. By curbing illegal fishing practices, expanding protection zones, and enforcing stricter compliance, Ghana seeks to secure its marine resources for generations to come.

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