Parliament Passes Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill to Modernise Ghana’s Marine Sector

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Parliament has passed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, ushering in a modernised legal framework aimed at strengthening the governance, development, and sustainability of Ghana’s vital fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The bill, presented by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, on June 3, 2025, seeks to consolidate and update outdated legislation, including the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), which has long struggled to address the challenges of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Key Provisions of the New Bill

Establishment of a Fisheries Commission to oversee the long-term conservation, management, and development of fisheries and aquaculture resources.
Implementation of an Electronic Monitoring System to meet market traceability standards required by the European Union and United States.
Stricter penalties for IUU fishing offenses.
Integration of global standards such as the Port State Measures Agreement and other international best practices.

Avoiding a Potential Red Card

Ghana was issued a “yellow card” warning by the European Commission in 2021 due to weaknesses in addressing IUU fishing. A failure to enact legal reforms could have triggered a “red card” ban, halting fish exports to the EU and potentially costing the country $425.9 million in annual revenue losses.

The new bill is designed to safeguard Ghana’s access to international seafood markets by ensuring compliance with environmental and trade obligations.

Sector Impact and Justification

According to the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, chaired by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, the fisheries and aquaculture sector is key to job creation, poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings, and GDP contribution. However, the existing legal regime—comprising several legislative instruments and fragmented amendments—has proven inadequate in handling modern challenges such as aquaculture regulation, climate change, and post-harvest practices.

The passage of this bill represents a significant legislative step toward sustainable marine resource management and positions Ghana as a compliant and responsible player in global fisheries governance.

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