Licences of four trawlers revoked over repeated regulatory violations

The Government of Ghana has terminated the operating licences of four industrial trawlers due to repeated breaches of the country's fisheries regulations. The announcement was made by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, during her presentation at the Government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 6.

According to the Minister, the decision is part of a broader initiative to encourage sustainable and responsible fishing practices across Ghana’s marine and aquaculture sectors.

 “We have suspended the licences of four trawlers for multiple regulatory violations. In fact, yesterday and today, the Fishing Enforcement Unit (FEU), led by the Navy, has enforced some measures in some of our key fishing ports,” she stated.

In addition to the licence cancellations, enforcement teams have been cracking down on unlawful activities tied to the fishing industry. Madam Arthur revealed that,

 “People who have been dealing illegally in premix (fuel)” were apprehended on Wednesday morning by the FEU during one of its operations.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to preserving Ghana’s fishery resources and protecting the livelihoods of artisanal fishers, she emphasized the need for stricter regulatory oversight. The ongoing enforcement drive is aimed at ensuring compliance and restoring the health of marine ecosystems.

As part of long-term policy planning, the Minister also disclosed that the government is working on a national strategy to guide the development of Ghana’s marine economy.

 “In line with the government's manifesto commitment, the cabinet has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral technical team to develop Ghana's national blue economy strategy,” she said.