Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025 receives presidential assent
By DL News
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The legislation, passed by Parliament in July, is designed to strengthen sustainability and compliance in the industry, while improving the welfare of fishing communities.
Ghana’s fisheries sector has entered a new chapter following President John Mahama’s assent to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, which now becomes Act 1146.
The legislation, passed by Parliament in July, is designed to strengthen sustainability and compliance in the industry while improving the welfare of fishing communities.
With seafood exports exceeding $425 million annually, government officials say the new law will secure livelihoods for millions and protect the nation’s marine wealth.
A central feature of the Act is the creation of an Independent Fisheries Commission, tasked with regulating, managing, and conserving both marine and aquaculture resources.
The law also extends Ghana’s Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from six to 12 nautical miles — a move expected to preserve breeding grounds and boost catches for an estimated 2.7 million artisanal fishers.
To align Ghana with international standards, the Act introduces tougher penalties for illegal fishing, measures to rebuild depleted fish stocks, and safeguards to maintain access to global markets. It further enforces higher labour and safety standards for crews and workers in the sector.
According to the Ministry, the reform is not only about compliance but also about building resilience: ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, and creating an equitable, economically viable fisheries industry for the future.
