Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emilia Arthur is waging war against illegal and unsustainable fishing practices in the Country.
Addressing the media on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), as part of a high-level engagement that seeks to foster open dialogue with Fishefolks on critical issues confronting Ghana’s fisheries sector, the Minister described those engaged in the illegal fishing practices as enemies of the state, vowing to crack the whip on them using the law.
Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emilia Arthur
“Light fishing and dynamite fishing is against the law. It is a no no. You kill people by using dynamite”, she stressed.
“Those who kill people must be dealt with according to the law and I will make sure they face the law”, Hon. Arthur added.
The Member Parliament for Shama emphasized that the Fisheries Enforcement Unit manned by the Navy and the Police are being empowered and retooled to deal head on with those engaged in illegal and unsustainable fishing.
She bemoaned the practice of the menace of light fishing—a practice that continues to endanger the marine ecosystem and public health.
The Minister consequently warned the staff of the sector Ministry and Fisheries Commission who are accomplices to the illegality to desist from it as they would not be spared when caught.
“They say when you admonish the cat, you admonish the mouse too. Fisheries commission staff who condone and connive are also warned.
I’m also warning the Fishing Associations to desist from these practices because we will crack the whip”, the Minister emphasized.
Hon. Arthur later underscored the need for the fisheries sector to be reset in order to increase the opportunities the sector creates to the nation and the practitioners.
The Minister, later disclosed that promoting responsible fishing practices, Strengthening collaboration with stakeholders and Intensifying efforts to lift the European Union’s “yellow card” sanction on Ghana, remain her strategic vision and key priorities for the Ministry.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
