The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission have suspended the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels operating within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for repeated violations of the country’s laws.

The vessels —Meng Xin 10, owned by Nassa Co. Ltd; Florence 2, owned by Akrafi Fisheries, as well as Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608, both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd –, were found to have engaged in multiple illegal fishing practices, including unauthorised transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones and harvesting of juvenile fish in contravention of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968).

A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the ministry said those practices severely threatened Ghana’s marine ecosystem, undermined efforts towards sustainable fisheries management and adversely affected the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.

In accordance with Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, which empower the Minister to suspend licenses of vessels involved in repeated illegalities, the affected vessels had their licences suspended for 12 months, with effect from yesterday.

Context

Ghana’s fisheries sector has long been challenged by overfishing and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which continue to endanger marine biodiversity, erode the income of artisanal fishers and compromise national food security.

Practices such as illegal transshipment — locally known as Saiko — have particularly contributed to the depletion of key fish stocks and damaged the integrity of marine governance.

Section 132 of Act 625 criminalises illegal transshipment, while Regulation 33(2) of L.I. 1968 explicitly prohibits transshipment between industrial vessels and canoes.

“These violations are not only breaches of domestic law, but also contravene international obligations and hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources,” the statement said.

Despite ongoing stakeholder engagement, education and regulatory reforms, the ministry said certain industrial fishing operators continued to act with impunity.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, therefore, reiterated its unwavering commitment to the strict enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations as part of its mandate to safeguard the country’s marine resources.

The statement also cautioned all fishing operators — industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal — to comply fully with the provisions of the law.

It warned that continued violations would attract sanctions, including licence suspensions, cancellations and legal action.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission said they remained resolute in their mission to promote responsible and sustainable fisheries management in Ghana for the benefit of present and future generations.