By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi, GNA
Accra, March 5, GNA – The Ghana Tuna Association has been awarded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate for its Atlantic skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries and responsible fisheries management.
Atlantic skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries are a major, often combined commercial operations, targeting fast-growing, migratory species in tropical/subtropical Atlantic waters.
The MSC certification is an internationally recognized science-based award given to fishers that prove effective stock management, minimal ecosystem impact and robust governance systems.
Delivering a statement at the official announcement of the award in Accra, Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said the certification represented an important step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen responsible fisheries management.
It positioned the tuna industry within the evolving global framework for sustainable seafood trade and reflected sustained collaboration between industry, management authorities and technical partners.
The Minister said the feat demonstrated the value of investing in improved data collection, observer coverage, responsible Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) management, crew training, and strengthened monitoring and compliance systems.
She said sustainability, traceability and transparency were central to maintaining competitiveness, adding that the MSC certification enhanced the credibility of Ghanaian tuna products and reinforced confidence among buyers and consumers.
Madam Arthur noted that sustainable fisheries management remained fundamental to food security, employment, foreign exchange earnings and livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians along the value chain.
“We will continue the dialogue on operational matters affecting the sector, including infrastructure needs, monitoring and surveillance systems, compliance obligations, observer deployment and other strategic interventions required to build upon the gains,” she said.
Mr Frank K. Aihoon, the President, Ghana Tuna Association, said the certification enhanced Ghana’s reputation in the international market, strengthened her competitiveness and affirmed their commitment to sustainable tuna fishing practices.
“We recognise that certification is not the end of the journey, it is a responsibility to maintain and continuously improve our standards. We shall run parallel alongside the fishing improvement project for assessment and balance,” he said.
Mr Francisco Leotte, Sustainability Manager, THAI Union, a global seafood leader and partner, said the MSC had always been driven by six conditions and it was important that they worked in tandem with the conditions to achieve sustainable fishing.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe