The Minister-Designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has pledged to take swift actions to resolve the European Union’s concerns over illegal fishing activities, which have earned Ghana a “Yellow Card.”
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, madam Arthur stressed on the government’s commitment to aligning the nation’s fisheries regulations with international standards to restore compliance and secure Ghana’s seafood exports to the EU market.
“Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) activities in fisheries have earned Ghana a Yellow Card. The EU outlined a number of things that need to be sorted out so that the Yellow Card will be lifted. It is my understanding that those activities have begun,” she said.
Madam Arthur also made known plans to revise the Fisheries Act (Act 625) as part of measures to address the issue. She mentioned that the current legislation inadequately addresses inland fisheries and aquaculture, which are critical to meeting the EU’s requirements.
“We have to do the right things so that the trade will go on for the foreign exchange to come,” she added, placing emphasis on the urgency of the matter to protect the fishing industry, which contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy.
She also revealed that the Yellow Card significantly impacts industrial fishers, particularly those involved in tuna exports—a sector that generates nearly $400 million annually for the country.
The EU’s Yellow Card serves as a warning that Ghana risks losing access to the European seafood market if it fails to combat illegal fishing in its exclusive economic zone. A “Red Card,” the next step in the EU’s sanctions, would result in trade restrictions on seafood exports, severely affecting Ghana’s economy and the livelihoods of thousands in the fishing industry.
In 2021, the European Union issued Ghana a second Yellow Card, citing inadequate efforts to combat illegal fishing. Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries, expressed concern over Ghana’s failure to implement necessary measures to meet international standards.
With Ghana producing an estimated 448,200 metric tons of seafood annually, addressing the EU’s concerns is crucial to safeguarding both marine resources and the country’s access to global markets.
Madam Arthur again highlighted the urgency of resolving the situation, underscoring the importance of sustainable fisheries management. She committed to working with stakeholders to implement necessary reforms, protect Ghana’s fishing industry, and maintain its position in the global seafood market.
Her assurances offer hope for an industry that is not only vital to Ghana’s economy but also to the livelihoods of millions of citizens who depend on fisheries for sustenance and income.
