Parliament Begins Review of New Fisheries Bill Amid EU Yellow Card Concerns
Accra, Ghana – June 5, 2025
Ghana’s Parliament has officially begun scrutiny of the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, laid before the House by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, earlier this week. The bill has been referred to the Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs for detailed examination, with input from the Ministry of Fisheries and the Attorney General’s Department.
This move comes at a critical time, as Ghana faces a yellow card warning from the European Union over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The warning, if not addressed, could escalate to a red card—leading to a complete ban on fish exports to the EU, a key market for Ghana.
At a recent stakeholder consultative meeting, Hon. Emelia Arthur acknowledged the serious impact of the EU’s warning, stating that it has damaged the image of Ghana’s fisheries sector and threatens the livelihoods of many.
“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The new bill is part of efforts to overhaul the outdated Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625). Though an earlier draft was introduced in 2024, it couldn’t be passed before the dissolution of the 8th Parliament. The current version has been significantly updated with feedback from stakeholders and legal experts.
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 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainability and transparency, stressing that these reforms go beyond EU compliance—they are about building a stronger, more resilient fisheries sector for Ghana.
source:www.senaradioonline.com/The EXPOSÉ
