The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Louisa Kobiaba Ama Atinka Arthur, has clarified that the decision to exempt artisanal fishers from the annual closed season in 2025 is a temporary measure aimed at easing their economic hardships.
Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam morning show, she explained that while the closed season will still apply to semi-industrial and industrial fishers, artisanal fishers will be exempt this year due to the severe impact of the restriction on their livelihoods.
“For some of them, even a one-month closure causes extreme suffering because fishing is their only source of income. Unfortunately, they also have poor saving habits, making it difficult for them to cope during the period,” she stated.
Arthur acknowledged that although the government allocates relief food items for fishers during the closed season, past beneficiaries have often not received them.
Additionally, she noted that the fishing pressure on the sea after each closed season quickly negates any ecological benefits.
To ensure sustainable fishing practices, she revealed that alternative management measures would be enforced.
“There are allocated relief food items for fishers, but over the past years, they have not received these items despite being included in the government budget. The pressure on the sea increases after every closed season; within a week, all the gains are lost. As the new government in 2025, we have decided that there will be no closed season for artisanal fishers,” she said.
However, she emphasized that measures would be put in place to regulate fishing activities. Artisanal fishers will be required to observe the traditional “no fishing” day, which will be enforced by community leaders.
“My ministry is also prepared to collaborate with the Local Government Ministry and District Chief Executives (DCEs) to ensure effective implementation of policies,” she added.
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