Fisheries law to safeguard US$425M seafood exports

By Kizito CUDJOE

President John Dramani Mahama has signed into law the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, a measure aimed at protecting more than US$425 million in annual seafood exports and tightening regulation of the sector.

The legislation, passed by Parliament in July, establishes an independent fisheries commission and strengthens oversight to align with international standards.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture said the landmark law “secures Ghana’s fisheries resources, supports livelihoods, strengthens compliance with international trade standards, and positions the sector for long-term growth and sustainability.”

The authority stated that the reforms are designed to help the country avoid sanctions in key export markets while addressing illegal fishing and rebuilding depleted fish stocks.

The new law expands Ghana’s inshore exclusive zone from six to 12 nautical miles, creating more secure breeding grounds for fish and protecting the livelihoods of an estimated 2.7 million artisanal fishers.

It also introduces stricter penalties for illegal operators and new protections for crew and workers on fishing vessels.

The Fisheries Ministry noted that the act was crucial to maintaining Ghana’s access to global markets, where seafood has become one of the country’s fastest-growing non-traditional exports.

“This is about securing jobs, food security, and our reputation in international trade,” the Fisheries Ministry stated.

The new Act comes into force at a time when the country is under a yellow card warning from the European Union (EU) over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Failure to address the EU’s concerns could lead to a red card, resulting in a full ban on exports to the bloc, one of Ghana’s biggest markets.

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