Event 1
Celebrating the End of the 2024 Closed Fishing Season!
Akplabanya Landing Beach, Ada West District—Today marks a significant celebration for Ghana’s fisheries sector as stakeholders, led by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission, gathered to celebrate the reopening of the sea after the 2024 Closed Fishing Season. This seasonal closure, implemented since 2016, has become a vital tool in Ghana’s efforts to manage its marine resources and secure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.
The Fisheries Act (2002), Act 625, guides the use of scientific data for fisheries management, and ongoing research has shown an urgent need for recovery measures to rebuild depleted fish stocks and avert a potential collapse of the fisheries industry. The Closed Fishing Season is one such measure, aimed at reducing overfishing, restoring overexploited fish stocks, and replenishing diminishing populations of fish species.
This year’s closure, held with the support of the USAID Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity, provided an essential rest period for Ghana’s marine ecosystems. Fisherfolk, traditional leaders, and security services all contributed to the successful implementation of this conservation effort, which has enhanced the resilience of marine ecosystems, making them healthier and more productive.
“The success of this season is a testament to the commitment of our hardworking fisherfolk, traditional authorities, and all other stakeholders who share in our vision of a sustainable fisheries industry,” a Ministry representative stated during the ceremony. “Together, we’re securing our marine resources and livelihoods for future generations.”
As fishing activities resume, the Ministry urges all stakeholders to uphold sustainable fishing practices, recognizing this shared responsibility in managing Ghana’s precious marine resources.
Here’s to a prosperous and bountiful fishing season ahead—one that ensures a thriving, resilient fisheries sector that benefits all Ghanaians.
Event 2
Fisheries Enforcement Unit Leads Compliance Efforts During 2024 Closed Fishing Season
Volta & Greater Accra Regions, Ghana—As Ghana’s 2024 Closed Fishing Season concludes, the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU), under the leadership of National Coordinator Commodore Francis Nyarko, has played an instrumental role in ensuring compliance across both artisanal and industrial vessels. The FEU, working alongside the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Division (MCSD), Marine Police, and Navy, has diligently safeguarded the integrity of the closed season, which is vital for the recovery of depleted fish stocks.
The team recently conducted a rigorous beach combing exercise across landing sites in the Volta and Greater Accra regions. This operation saw stops at key communities in the Volta Region, including Adina, Aflao, Abeliakope, and Dzelukope, among others, and in the Greater Accra Region, including Kponkpo-kpanga, Azizanya, Akplabanya, and several Ada district communities. At each site, officers ensured that the closed season regulations were respected, allowing the marine ecosystem a chance to recover and rebuild.
As the team patrolled the beaches, they observed fishers preparing for the upcoming open season by mending their nets and maintaining their canoes—a testament to the dedication and resilience of Ghana’s fishing communities. Commodore Nyarko underscored the essential role of the closed season in marine conservation, urging fishers to avoid destructive practices like using illegal nets, light fishing, and explosives, which can severely harm fish stocks and threaten the long-term health of Ghana’s marine resources.
A Message to Ghana’s Fishers: The FEU extends its heartfelt appreciation to all fishers for their steadfast adherence to the closed season, acknowledging that these efforts are fundamental to sustaining marine life and securing the future of coastal communities.
Joining Hands Against Illegal Fishing: The FEU calls on everyone—fisherfolk, coastal communities, and the public—to remain vigilant in the fight against illegal fishing. Reporting and preventing illegal activities is essential to sustaining our fisheries and ensuring the health of Ghana’s marine environment for future generations.
As Ghana celebrates the reopening of the fishing season, let’s all commit to sustainable practices that honor our marine ecosystem and build a prosperous future for our fisheries sector.
Celebrating Champions of Responsible Fishing Winners of the Responsible Fishing Awards 2024 received citations, as well as practical items to support their community initiatives, including dustbins, public address systems, canopies, and chairs, each tailored to the specific needs of the award categories. These awards serve not only as recognition of exemplary practices but also as tools to empower recipients to continue their vital conservation work.
A Call to Action for Sustainable Fisheries As Ghana’s fishing communities face increasing challenges from overfishing and climate change, the Responsible Fishing Awards underscore the need for collective action to protect marine resources. The event organizers hope that these awards will inspire communities across Ghana to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to the recovery of fish stocks.
The Responsible Fishing Awards 2024 represent a significant step in promoting sustainable fisheries in Ghana, honoring those who lead by example, and reinforcing the importance of protecting marine resources for future generations.
Event 3
USAID and MoFAD Host First-Ever Responsible Fishing Awards 2024
Accra, Ghana, in a groundbreaking event for Ghana’s fisheries sector, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Feed the Future Initiative, partnered with Ghana’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) and the Fisheries Commission (FC) to host the inaugural Responsible Fishing Awards 2024. Held at the forecourt of the Fisheries Commission, this historic ceremony recognized and celebrated individuals and communities dedicated to sustainable fishing practices across Ghana.
The awards highlight the ongoing commitment to fostering responsible fishing and protecting Ghana’s marine resources for future generations. USAID and MoFAD aim to inspire positive behavioral changes in the fishing sector through this initiative, shining a spotlight on those who are at the forefront of sustainable practices.
Celebrating Champions of Responsible Fishing Winners of the Responsible Fishing Awards 2024 received citations, as well as practical items to support their community initiatives, including dustbins, public address systems, canopies, and chairs, each tailored to the specific needs of the award categories. These awards serve not only as recognition of exemplary practices but also as tools to empower recipients to continue their vital conservation work.
A Call to Action for Sustainable Fisheries As Ghana’s fishing communities face increasing challenges from overfishing and climate change, the Responsible Fishing Awards underscore the need for collective action to protect marine resources. The event organizers hope that these awards will inspire communities across Ghana to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to the recovery of fish stocks.
The Responsible Fishing Awards 2024 represent a significant step in promoting sustainable fisheries in Ghana, honoring those who lead by example, and reinforcing the importance of protecting marine resources for future generations.
