The use of light for fishing is part of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing practices prohibited under Ghana’s laws.
Section 11 of the Fisheries Regulations 2010 (L.I.1968) explicitly criminalises methods that attract fish using artificial lights.
The Fisheries Regulation Act 625 outlines sanctions for violators, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
Coastlines across the country observed a mandatory one-month closure of fishing in Ghana’s marine waters from July 1 to August 1 this year. While industrial trawlers will continue the closure until September 1 this year, the closed season set by the government aims, among other things, to allow aquatic species to spawn and replace those depleted by overfishing.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) and the Fisheries Commission (FC) are in their third year of the five-year Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The project aims to mitigate the near-collapse of Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries—sardines, mackerel, and anchovies—and establish a foundation for their ecological recovery.
Weeks into the reopening of the sea, checks on some landing beaches, including Half-Assini and Takoradi in the Western Region, and Tema and other landing beaches in the Greater Accra Region, indicate that fishers continue to engage in light fishing, in blatant disregard of the dangers it poses to the pelagic subsector and existing laws.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony in Akplabanya in the Ada District, Sector Minister, Hawa Koomson praised fisherfolk for their compliance with the closed-season initiatives.
She stated, “The success of this year’s closed season is a testament to the dedication and cooperation of all stakeholders, including our hardworking fisherfolk, traditional leaders, and security services. We commend everyone for their unwavering support and commitment to preserving our marine resources for future generations.”
The Minister further urged fisherfolk to be responsible in their fishing practices as they resume fishing, to ensure the sustainability of the sector for the nation’s benefit.
“As we resume fishing activities let’s celebrate our unity and shared responsibility that has brought us this far, together we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous fishing industry that benefits all Ghanaians,” she noted.
Contrary to the Minister’s plea, fisherfolk have made a U-turn to the bad practices depleting our fish stocks.
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