Hon. Emelia Arthur, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, presented the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill to the Ghanaian Parliament earlier this week, marking the official start of the legislative process.
The Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry of Fisheries have provided feedback on the measure, which has been sent to the Select Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs for in-depth review.
The European Union has issued a yellow card warning to Ghana for engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; thus, this action comes at a crucial moment.
If the warning is ignored, it may turn into a red card, which would completely prohibit Ghana’s shipments of fish to the EU, one of its most important markets.
Hon. Emelia Arthur acknowledged the significant impact of the EU’s warning at a recent stakeholder consultative meeting, saying that it has harmed Ghana’s fisheries sector’s reputation and endangered many people’s lives.
“This is not just a routine legislative review; it is a national emergency,” said Hon. Godfred Jasaw, Chair of the Select Committee.
“The yellow card affects food security, jobs, and our international reputation. We must act decisively and together.”
The Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), which is out of date, is being overhauled in part by the new law.
Even though a previous draft was presented in 2024, it was unable to be approved prior to the 8th Parliament’s dissolution.
Stakeholder and legal expert input has led to considerable updates in the present version.
Stakeholder and legal expert input has led to considerable updates in the present version.
Key features of the new bill include
- Tougher measures to fight IUU fishing
- Modernized licensing systems
- Enhanced monitoring and enforcement
- Stronger regulatory oversight
- Alignment with international best practices
Minister Emelia Arthur reiterated the government’s dedication to sustainability and openness, emphasizing that the goal of these measures is to strengthen and fortify Ghana’s fisheries industry rather than only comply with EU regulations.
Source: newsthemegh.com