Experts call for stronger enforcement to protect dwindling fish stocks

At a workshop in Takoradi, Mr. Osei-Akoto Nyantakyi spoke about Ghana's fish stocks. He is a Programmes Officer at the EJF. He noted that these stocks are declining rapidly. This decline is due to climate change and harmful fishing practices. Practices include light fishing, dynamite use, and toxic chemicals.

The workshop included participants from various agencies. These included the Ghana Navy, Marine Police Unit, and the Office of the Attorney-General. The goal was to identify enforcement gaps and propose reforms. They also aimed to improve coordination among stakeholders.

Mr. Nyantakyi stressed the need for stricter enforcement of fisheries laws. He mentioned that weak enforcement undermines marine resource protection. Inadequate capacity in prosecution is also a concern.

Participants highlighted that Ghana's fisheries enforcement is under-resourced. There are limited personnel and equipment available for this task. Currently, there are only two marine enforcement zones: Eastern and Western. This leaves significant coverage gaps across the country.

Recommendations were made to establish more Fisheries Enforcement Units. New units should be created in the Central and Volta Regions for better response times. Concerns were raised about legal provisions allowing some fisheries offences to be settled out of court.

Stakeholders called for a review of these legal frameworks. They want to close loopholes and ensure consistent prosecution of offenders. The workshop ended with a call for regular training programs for enforcement officers and legal practitioners involved in fisheries management.