The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission have suspended fishing licences for four industrial trawl vessels operating within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The move is due to repeated violations of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968).
A joint statement identified the vessels as Meng Xin 10 (owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.), Florence 2 (owned by Akrafi Fisheries), Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608 (owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.).
The statement explained that the vessels were found to have engaged in various illegal fishing practices such as unauthorised transhipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones, and harvesting juvenile fish.
“These activities pose serious threats to Ghana’s marine ecosystem, compromise sustainable fisheries management, and adversely impact the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities,” the statement noted.
In accordance with Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, the licenses of the affected vessels’ licenses have been suspended for 12 months, effective April 1, 2025.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement of fisheries laws to safeguard marine resources.
“Continued violations will attract sanctions, including license suspensions, cancellations, and legal action,” the Ministry warned. It also urged all fishing operators—industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal—to comply with the law.
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Read the full statement below:
