By Laudia Sawer
Tema, July 17, GNA — The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), on behalf of artisanal fishers, has commended parliament for passing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025, which in part extends Ghana’s Inshore Exclusive Zone from six to 12 nautical miles.
Parliament on Wednesday passed the bill, which was put before Parliament by Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA), on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, seeking among others to review and consolidate laws for sustainable fisheries resource exploitation.
The Bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, seeks to review and consolidate the laws relating to the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and establish the Fisheries Commission to ensure the long-term conservation, development, management, and utilisation of fisheries and aquaculture resources.
CaFGOAG, who made several calls for the passing of the bill, reacting to the development, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Parliament, the government and all fisheries stakeholders must be commended for the historic decision to extend the Inshore Exclusive Zone.
Nana Kweigyah, the National President of CaFGOAG, said the decision marked a major victory for small-scale fishing communities along the coast, who for years have called for stronger protection of inshore waters against industrial fishing activities.
“The extension of the IEZ will help safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of artisanal fishers and fish processors, protect fish breeding and nursery grounds, and promote the recovery of dwindling fish stocks in Ghana’s marine waters. This is important for food and nutrition security and the good of local economies of coastal communities.”
CaFGOAG, he added, applauds the leadership of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, and the Fisheries Commission for supporting this process.
He also thanked the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition for the support in the push for the extension.
“This is a bold and progressive step that reflects Ghana’s dedication to marine conservation, equity, and the long-term viability of the fisheries sector. It reaffirms the rights of small-scale fishers as enshrined in the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries,” he stated.
He, however, called for urgent and effective implementation, including robust monitoring, control, and surveillance to ensure that the extended IEZ was respected in practice.
He said that as custodians of the sea, the Association would fully cooperate with authorities and mobilise fishers for participatory monitoring and surveillance of the extended IEZ to ensure the success of the milestone decision.
GNA
Christian Akorlie