Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, gave a stirring speech aboard the German research vessel Meteor at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, calling on the world community to reveal the real profiteers behind maritime crimes.
“What we rarely see are the individuals and entities who truly profit… corporate entities, private equity funds, and companies that conceal the real owners,” she emphasized.
Given that IUU fishing costs West Africa up to US$9.4 billion a year, Hon. Arthur urged immediate changes in vessel ownership disclosures, transparency, and international collaboration.
The esteemed panel at the high-level EJF side event, “No Safe Harbour: Exposing the True Beneficiaries of Crimes at Sea,” included:
Hon. Emelia Arthur – Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ghana
Ms. Charlina Vitcheva – Director-General, European Commission DG MARE
Mr. Éric Banel – Director-General, Maritime Affairs, Fisheries & Aquaculture, France
Hon. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr. – Maritime Commissioner, Republic of Liberia
Ms. Gisselle Irias – Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs, Panama
Moderated by: Mr. Steve Trent – CEO, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)
The topic was made more urgent by a beneficial ownership documentary, which emphasized the point that “There can be no safe harbour for those who profit from crimes at sea.”
Let’s stand together for transparency, accountability, and ocean justice!
Source: newsthemegh.com