The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has officially reopened the sea to artisanal fishers effective Thursday, August 1, following a month-long closure to replenish depleted fish stocks.
The reopening ceremony occurred at the Akplabanya Beach Site in the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region. During the event, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, symbolically declared the sea open and emphasized the importance of conserving Ghana’s marine resources.
According to Minister Koomson, the fishing ban was a strategic measure to aid in the recovery of over-exploited fisheries resources, rebuild depleted fish species, and alleviate fishing pressure on marine ecosystems.
In her address, she called upon all stakeholders, particularly the fishers of Upper Manya in Ada West, to collaborate in the conservation efforts. She hoped the new fishing season would bring abundant catches and prosperity to the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The reopening signifies the government’s commitment to sustainable fishing practices and environmental stewardship, which aim to ensure the long-term viability of Ghana’s marine resources.
