If Ghana doesn’t take the necessary steps to clean up its fishing space, it could face a restriction on fish imports from the European Union (EU).
The EU has already issued two yellow cards to the nation twice, in 2013 and 2021. If the issue continues by 2026, the nation will be issued a red card.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Aquaculture, and Cocoa Affairs Chairman, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Accra on Friday.
A draft fisheries bill that would assist in restoring order to the nation’s fishing space was the subject of the meeting.
He claimed that because of illegal, unreported, and uncontrolled fishing, the nation was singled out for a yellow card warning on both occasions.
He stated that in order for Ghana to meet EU requirements and avoid a red card in 2026, the draft bill, which is currently in the parliamentary committee, has made adequate contributions but still requires industry players to help finalize it.
In a welcome speech, Emelia Arthur, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, stated that a ban would have disastrous repercussions because three million people in the nation relied on the fishery value chain.
She added that a red card would have an impact on export earnings because the nation is one of the largest importers of fish into the EU market.
To control and clean up the nation’s fishing space, she claimed, a law was required.
She claimed that because of this, the bill has been presented to parliament under a certificate of emergency.
Mrs. Arthur stated that after the measure is finalized, it would be sent to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union for input before being passed.
Concerns were raised by stakeholders, who stated that fish was a valuable national resource that required careful management.
They claimed that the nation had a duty to properly manage the resource under international law.
Some demanded that captains of ships engaging in unlawful activities in the nation’s waterways be punished.
In order to act as a deterrent to others, they stated that such captains should be subjected to the full force of the nation’s laws rather than merely being deported.
There are 167 clauses and 170 parts in the Fisheries and Aquaculture bill, which expired with the last parliament and is currently being considered by the current one.
The bills will include topics like aquaculture, inland fishing management, offenses, and sanctions.
Source: newsthemegh.com