Four Industrial Vessels Lose Licences Over Violations of Fisheries Laws
Ministry Takes Strong Action Against Repeated Violations to Protect Ghana's Marine Ecosystem
- Four industrial trawl vessels have had their licences suspended for 12 months
- The vessels violated key laws
- The Ministry’s action aims to protect marine biodiversity
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in partnership with the Fisheries Commission, has suspended the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels operating in Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) due to repeated breaches of national laws.
The suspended vessels include Meng Xin 10, owned by Nassa Co. Ltd; Florence 2, owned by Akrafi Fisheries; and Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608, both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.
These vessels were found guilty of multiple illegal fishing activities, such as unauthorized transshipment, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones, and the illegal harvesting of juvenile fish, in violation of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968).
A statement from the Ministry’s Public Relations Unit emphasized that such practices pose a severe threat to Ghana’s marine ecosystem, disrupt sustainable fisheries efforts, and harm the livelihoods of coastal communities. As a result, the licences of these vessels have been suspended for a period of 12 months, effective immediately.
The suspension comes as part of a broader effort to combat overfishing and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that continue to damage marine biodiversity, harm artisanal fishers’ incomes, and threaten food security. Illegal transshipment, or Saiko, has been particularly destructive to fish stocks and undermines marine governance.
The Ministry reiterated that these violations not only breach domestic laws but also contravene international obligations aimed at conserving and sustainably using marine resources. It warned all fishing operators—industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal—to comply with legal provisions or face potential sanctions, including further suspensions, cancellations, or legal action.
The Ministry remains firm in its commitment to enforcing fisheries laws and safeguarding Ghana’s marine resources for future generations.
