Unlocking the blue economy: Strengthening
fisheries law enforcement for sustainability
Every day, before sunrise breaks across Ghana’s
coastline, the ocean is already in motion.
From Elmina, Abandze, Komenda, Anomabo to Shama all the
way to Keta and countless other fishing communities along the Central, Western,
Greater Accra and Volta regions, the sea and shorelines become workplaces,
determining destinies.
Canoes are pushed into the water with coordinated force,
engines roar into life and fisherfolk, some barely rested from the night, set
off into the Atlantic with faith, experience and endurance.
On World Ocean Day, global conversations often turn to
marine conservation, climate change and the future of blue economies.
But along Ghana’s coast, the ocean is life itself. It is
breakfast, school fees, rent, medicine and survival.
And behind every fish sold at the market lies a story
shaped by decades of labour, risk and resilience. Over the years, one pattern
remains constant: fishing is rarely just a job. It is inheritance, identity and
continuity.
In Komenda, a fisherman, Kwabena Tetteh, said without
hesitation, “I was born on the canoe. My father fished, my grandfather fished.
I had no other choice.”
In Abandze, another fisherman, Kojo Essuman, with over 30
years at sea, simply said, “If I don’t go, my house does not eat.”
These are not isolated voices. They reflect a
generational reality of skills re passed down not through formal training, but
through early exposure to the tides, nets and rhythms of the sea.
Uncertain livelihoods
Yet beneath this inherited knowledge lies a growing
struggle. Fisherfolk consistently say the sea has become less generous.
Fisherfolk say the sea has become less generous. Catches
have become smaller, journeys longer and risks higher. Many attribute this to
overfishing, climate variability and illegal fishing practices.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),
global fish stocks are under increasing pressure, with a significant proportion
now fully exploited or overexploited.
In West Africa, where coastal communities depend heavily
on small-scale fisheries, the situation is particularly fragile.
In Ghana, fisheries contribute significantly to food
security and livelihoods, with fish remaining one of the most important sources
of animal protein for the population.
According to the FOA (2024), fish accounts for about 17
per cent of global animal protein consumption, and in many West African
countries, including Ghana, it is a critical source of nutrition, particularly
for coastal and inland communities.
FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report
(2024) further indicates that over three billion people globally depend on fish
as a major source of protein, while millions of livelihoods are directly linked
to marine and inland fisheries.
In Ghana, fish remain one of the most consumed protein
sources, forming a vital part of household diets across income levels.
From smoked herrings in local markets to freshly landed
tilapia and tuna, the sea feeds both the rich and the poor.
But statistics alone do not capture what declining fish
stocks mean in real terms. For a canoe crew, it would mean returning with half
a catch. For a fishmonger, it would mean selling less at higher prices.
For a household, it would mean a reduced fish or reduced
fish at all. On several field visits, fisherfolk pointed to practices such as
light fishing, use of illegal chemicals and destructive, unapproved nets as key
threats to their work.
While enforcement efforts continue, many argue that
compliance remains uneven, leaving those who follow the rules feeling
disadvantaged.
A seasoned fisherman in Anomabo, Kojo Pintsil, at a
workshop organised by University of Cape Coast, Fisheries Commission and Blue
Ventures, expressed his frustration this way:
“We go by the law, but others do not. At the end, we all
suffer because the sea does not increase.”
Labour behind the catch
Fishing is often imagined as the act of casting nets and
hauling fish, but the industry is far more complex.
Behind every canoe are networks of labour, net makers,
engine repairers, fish processors, and market women who transform the catch
into food and income.
Women, in particular, play a central role in sustaining
the fisheries value chain.
In Elmina and Komenda, fish processors and traders wake
up even earlier than the fishermen, preparing smokehouses, sorting catches and
negotiating prices.Fish & Aquaria
Their work ensures that fish not only leave the shore but
also reach inland communities, where it becomes a dietary staple.
Many of these women have also spent decades in the trade.
A fishmonger, Efua Duah, like the fishermen, indicated
that the rising costs, inconsistent supply of fish from fishermen, and the
unpredictability of the sea economy are challenges facing fishmongers.
Beyond human pressures, environmental changes are
reshaping the ocean itself.
Fisherfolk describe shifting seasons, stronger waves and
unpredictable weather patterns that make fishing more dangerous than in
previous decades and some of the challenges facing the fisheries sector.
Scientists have linked such changes to broader climate
variability affecting sea temperatures and marine ecosystems.
Survival and sustainability
In an interview, the President of the National Fisheries
Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Nana Joojo Solomon, called for stronger
enforcement of fisheries laws and a collective national effort to protect
Ghana’s marine resources, warning that the future of the fishing industry and
millions of livelihoods depend on the sustainability of the country's oceans.
To mark the celebration of this year’s World Oceans Day
(WOD), Nana Solomon highlighted the critical role the ocean plays in supporting
economic activities, food security, transportation, telecommunications,
tourism, and the emerging blue economy.
WOD is a global observance held on June 8 each year with
the aim of raising awareness about the critical role the ocean plays in the
lives of people and the need to protect it.
The day, set aside by the United Nations, is dedicated to
appreciating the beauty and diversity of our oceans, while also promoting
conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
This year's theme, "Reimagine: Beyond the world we
know, a new relationship with our ocean”, is a call to global citizens to
change the way they see and care for the ocean.
Nana Solomon, who doubles as the President of the Ghana
National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), said the ocean was far more than a
natural resource, stressing that it was a vital source of livelihood for
millions of people across the country and an essential component of Ghana’s
economic development.
Diversification
He explained that the importance of the ocean extends
beyond fishing, noting that maritime transportation, naval security operations,
telecommunications infrastructure, oil and gas installations, tourism and other
sectors rely heavily on the marine environment.
“The ocean supports transport, security and
telecommunications through submarine fibre optic cables and the oil and gas
sector.
Today, discussions around the blue economy are also
creating new opportunities.
This shows how important the ocean is to every
individual, whether directly or indirectly,” he said.
However, Nana Solomon expressed concern over the changing
state of the ocean, attributing the decline in marine resources to a
combination of climate change, population growth, pollution and unsustainable
fishing practices.
“The NAFAG President also raised concerns about the
growing pressure on marine resources due to increasing population growth and
unrestricted access to fishing activities.
He observed that the number of fishing vessels competing
for limited fish stocks has become unsustainable, creating intense pressure on
the marine ecosystem.
“The pressure on marine life is extremely high. We have
more people chasing fewer fish, and that ratio is simply not sustainable.
Unless we take deliberate action, the situation will continue to worsen,” he
warned.
While public discussions often focus on light fishing,
Nana Solomon stressed that all forms of illegal fishing were equally harmful
and contributed to the depletion of fish stocks.
He further warned that chemical fishing poses serious
health risks to consumers, as toxic substances used in fishing can eventually
enter the food chain.
“The use of chemicals is particularly dangerous because
it has implications not only for fish stocks but also for human health.
We are exposing ourselves to harmful substances that can
contribute to various health conditions,” he noted.
Laws
Despite the existence of fisheries regulations designed
to protect marine resources, Nana Solomon believes weak enforcement remains one
of the biggest challenges facing the sector.
He stated that fishers are generally aware of the laws
and regulations governing their activities, but continued violations occur
because offenders often believe they can act without consequences.
“We have good laws in place.
The problem is enforcement. Once people realise that
regulations are not being enforced consistently, they become emboldened to
continue engaging in illegal activities,” he said.
The NAFAG President also called attention to marine
pollution from industrial activities, improper waste disposal, and other
environmental practices that continue to degrade ocean ecosystems.
He argued that addressing these challenges requires a
multi-sectoral approach involving several government ministries, regulatory
agencies, industries, and civil society organisations.
He said fisheries management cannot be handled by one
institution alone because factors affecting marine resources often originate
from multiple sectors.
Blue economy
Touching on Ghana’s blue economy agenda, Nana Solomon
advocated for what he described as a “just transition,” ensuring that fishing
communities were not marginalised as new industries and economic activities
expand into the marine space.
He noted that increasing oil and gas exploration,
telecommunications infrastructure, shipping activities, and other marine
developments are gradually reducing the areas available for traditional fishing
activities.
As the world marks World Oceans Day, Nana Solomon called
on government, regulators, security agencies, policymakers, civil society
groups, industries, and citizens to work together to protect Ghana’s oceans for
future generations.
“The ocean is one of the greatest natural resources God
has given us. Every Ghanaian depends on it in one way or another.
We all have a responsibility to protect it. If we
strengthen enforcement, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable practices, we
can preserve this valuable resource and secure the livelihoods of millions of
people for generations to come,” he said
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