From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast
The Journalists for Responsible Fisheries and Environment (JRFE) has called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to immediately reverse its decision to exempt artisanal fishers from this year’s closed fishing season.
In a statement released on today, 8th April, 2025, the group said the decision was a major step backward in the fight to rebuild Ghana’s depleting fish stocks.
JRFE noted that the exemption not only goes against the country’s fisheries management plan but also threatens the progress made over the years in restoring marine life.
“It took time, effort and resources to get artisanal fishers to understand and accept the need for the closed season,” said the Executivr Director of JRFE,
Kingsley Nana Buadu.
“We cannot take one step forward and then three steps backwards. Millions of Ghanaians depend on artisanal fisheries for their livelihoods. We cannot fail posterity.” he added
JRFE reminded MoFAD that the 2022–2026 Marine Fisheries Management Plan, which guides fishing activities in the country, requires the enforcement of a closed season for all fishing fleets, including artisanal fishers.
The group feared that the exemption could also affect Ghana’s leadership in the sub-region, as other countries had started implementing similar measures based on Ghana’s example.
The annual closed season was introduced in 2016 to help fish populations recover.
After some resistance, artisanal fishers were added to the policy in 2019, and in recent years, their compliance has significantly improved.
According to JRFE, they bbelievd now is not the time to relax the rules. Instead, it was urging the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission to enforce existing regulations such as the proper registration and licensing of canoes, upholding the ban on new canoes, prosecuting illegal fishing, and encouraging the use of approved nets.
The group also wanted a new fishing holiday introduced to help reduce pressure on the sea.
Citing Section 42 of the Fisheries Act (Act 625), JRFE reminded the Ministry that decisions must be based on science, not convenience.
The JRFE observed that lifting the closed season for artisanal fishers will worsen the overfishing crisis.
The group also appealed directly to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the right thing was done.
With over a decade of work across Ghana’s four coastal regions, JRFE assured the public that it would continued to support state agencies, fisher associations, and civil society in promoting responsible fishing and protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
