In March, the Ghanaian government decided not to enforce the closed fishing season for small-scale fishers in 2025.
Emelia Arthur, recently appointed Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, announced that this decision aims to protect the livelihoods of small-scale fishers while still promoting the sustainability of marine resources. The industrial trawlers, however, will have to respect the annual two-month fishing ban as a biological rest period.
The closed fishing season was initially introduced in 2019 to allow fish populations to recover during their peak spawning periods, particularly targeting small pelagic like sardines. However, recent studies have shown that, while these closures can momentarily lead to increased fish sizes and abundance, their socio-economic impact on fishing communities is dire. Indeed, many Ghanaian small-scale fishers rely solely on fishing for their livelihood, and the seasonal closures adversely affect their income.
Small-scale fishers deplored the lack of adequate compensation for the cessation of their activities, the lack of fishers’ engagement regarding the planning and implementation of the closed season. Furthermore, both fishers and scientists question the ecological effectiveness of the closed season, as ongoing illegal fishing activities, and overcapacity in the industrial sector, undermine these conservation efforts made by fishers. The lax enforcement of sanctions against illegal fishing practices further discourages compliance among artisanal fishers: the benefits of the biological rest period are minimized, making the burden on small-scale fishers seem totally unjustified.
“While the small-scale fishing communities will be exempt, the industrial trawlers will have to respect the two-month fishing ban as a biological rest period.””
Ghanaian press reported that the decision to exempt small scale fisheries from the closed season was much appreciated by fishers, quoting Nii Odamitey, Chief Fisherman of Tema: “Since the enforcement of the close season, we have not understood the rationale behind it. If today, the government has decided to cancel it, we welcome the news.”
The Minister has announced that alternative conservation measures are now under consideration, including the establishment of key conservation zones, such as Cape Three Points in the Gulf of Guinea. These areas may have restricted fishing activities, and these restrictions will be decided in collaboration with fishers, to protect spawning grounds and ensure the regeneration of fish stocks.
The Minister also showed her determination to address illegal fishing in Ghana fisheries, by implementing reforms, including through the revision of the Fisheries Act, aimed at better regulating the sector, and ensuring stronger enforcement of the legislation.
This is timely, as Ghana is currently under scrutiny from the European Union, that issued the country with a "yellow card" in 2021, signaling it was not doing enough to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. This warning poses a risk to Ghana's seafood exports. Indeed, in case the concerns about IUU fishing are not addressed, it could result in Ghanean fish products, - particularly tuna, which contributes nearly $400 million annually to the economy-, being banned from European markets.
Banner photo: By Melvin Ankrah.
Closing the funding gap for biodiversity conservation is one of the critical topics at COP 16 and has been estimated at US$700 billion in the report "Financing Nature" published in 2020. However, this article critiques the estimate, arguing it is based on flawed assumptions. Using fisheries as an example, the author questions its validity and urges rejection by those opposing the financialisation of conservation.