Licenses of 4 fishing vessels suspended for illegal activities - Channel1 News

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has taken strong action against illegal fishing. They suspended the licenses of four industrial trawl vessels in Ghana's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The vessels are Meng Xin 10, Florence 2, Long Xiang 607, and Long Xiang 608. Meng Xin 10 is owned by Nassa Co. Ltd., Florence 2 by Akrafi Fisheries, and the Long Xiang vessels by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd. These vessels violated the Fisheries Act of 2002 and the Fisheries Regulations of 2010.

They engaged in illegal activities like unauthorized transshipment and dumping fish. They also fished in restricted zones and harvested juvenile fish. These actions threaten Ghana's marine ecosystem and harm coastal communities' livelihoods.

The Ministry announced that the licenses are suspended for 12 months starting April 1, 2025. This decision shows their commitment to enforcing fisheries laws and protecting marine resources.

Illegal fishing practices have severely depleted fish stocks. Transshipment, known locally as Saiko, is particularly harmful to marine biodiversity. Such activities violate both national laws and international obligations related to sustainable development.

Despite educational efforts, some industrial operators continue to break regulations without consequences. The Ministry warned that future violations will lead to harsher penalties, including license cancellations.

They remain dedicated to promoting responsible fisheries management for future generations. Stakeholders must comply with fisheries laws to protect Ghana's marine ecosystem and economic future.