In a press release signed by the sector Minister, Mrs. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, the fishers will be empowered to enforce the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968) relating to illegal Fishing practices at landing sites.

The move according to the Minister is because the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU) is constrained in its operations nationwide having to patrol and enforce fisheries laws and regulations in over 300 and 2000 landing sites respectively along the marine coast and the Volta Lake.

The Ministry has therefore requested from relevant institutions to play their roles as mandated by law to ensure that those fishermen that would be arrested are prosecuted in court.

Read below the full release:

EMPOWERMENT OF FISHERS TO ENFORCE ASPECTS OF THE FISHERIES ACT, 2002 (ACT 625) AND FISHERIES REGULATIONS, 2010 (L.I.1968) RELATING TO ILLEGAL FISHING PRACTICES AT LANDING SITES

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission are the institutions responsible for enforcement of fisheries law and regulations in accordance with the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I 1968).

Pursuant to section 94 Act of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), the Hon. Minister in September 2013, stablished the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU) and tasked it with the responsibility of enforcing fisheries laws and regulations in the country. The FEU is an inter-Ministerial body and comprises of representatives from the Ghana Navy, Ghana Air- Force, Fisheries Commission, Ghana Police Service, Attorney General’s Department and National Security.

The FEU has established offices at Tema and Sekondi and therefore it is constrained in its operations nationwide. Considering that there are over 300 and 2000 landing sites respectively along the marine coast and the Volta Lake, it is impossible for FEU to cover all the landings in the country to enforce law and regulations.

Thus, in spite of the good work done by the FEU, illegal fishing practices is prevalent especially at the marine coastal fishing sites. The Ministry therefore intends to empower fishers in accordance with sections 59 and 94 (4) of the Fisheries Act, 625, to enforce Regulations 11, 12, 14 and 33 of the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I 1968) at their respective landing sites.

The purpose of the letter is to inform you of the Ministry’s intention. The Ministry will humbly request that when the fishers make an arrest for infraction of the fisheries law and regulations you play your various roles as mandated by law to ensure that the arrested fishermen are prosecuted in court.

The Ministry is counting on your usual cooperation in this important national exercise for sustainability of the fishing industry.

Signed

Hon. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye
(MRS)(MP)
MINISTER.