The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has disclosed that government has developed a comprehensive fisheries management plan aimed at revitalising Ghana’s declining fish production and strengthening sustainability in the sector.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, February 25, the Minister expressed concern about persistent challenges confronting the industry, noting that Ghana’s fisheries sector had experienced steady pressure in recent years due to overfishing, environmental degradation, illegal practices, and inadequate regulation across parts of the value chain.
She said government recognised the critical role of the sector in ensuring food security, creating employment, sustaining livelihoods in coastal and inland communities, and contributing to the broader national economy.
According to her, authorities were determined to reverse the downward trend through policy reforms, enhanced conservation measures, and targeted investments.
“We get our fish from marine, inland and aquaculture, and we need to undertake conservation activities to improve marine production, while also paying attention to inland fisheries,” she said.
The Minister indicated that until last year, inland fisheries in the country did not have a management plan.
“We have now developed one, and we need to close the gap with aquaculture to ensure increased production,” she added.
Mrs Arthur noted that Ghana’s annual fish demand stood at about 1.2 million metric tonnes, while current production was approximately 550,000 metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of about 700,000 metric tonnes.
She said the new management framework would address the production shortfall and ensure long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.
