Four Industrial fishing vessels have had their licences suspended by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, after being found guilty of repeated illegal fishing within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to an official statement from the government, the affected vessels are identified as Meng Xin 10 (owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.), Florence 2 (owned by Akrafi Fisheries), Long Xiang 607, and Long Xiang 608 (both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.
They were found guilty of multiple violations of Ghana’s fisheries laws, including unauthorised transshipment, also known as Saiko, dumping of fish, fishing in restricted zones, and the harvesting of juvenile fish. These offences do not only pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystems but also to the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities in Ghana and undermine sustainable fisheries management.
The Ministry, in its authority, applied Sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) to suspend the licences of these vessels for a period of twelve months, effective April 1, 2025.
“These violations are not only breaches of domestic law but also contravene international obligations and hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources,” the statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the ministry said.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture further cautioned all fishing operators, industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal, to comply fully with the provisions of the law.
