'No Closed Season for Artisanal Fisherfolk in 2025 '- Fisheries Minister

Accra, Ghana - 19 March, 2025 - Ghana's government has made a significant U-turn on its fishing policies, cancelling the 2025 closed fishing season for artisanal fishermen.

This decision, announced by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Emelia Arthur, marks a departure from previous years, where all fishing vessels, including artisanal ones, were subject to the closed season.

However, she stated that the reprieve only applies to artisanal fishermen, as the closed season will still be enforced for inshore and industrial trawlers. This move is seen as a strategic one, as industrial trawlers are often blamed for depleting fish stocks.

“President John Dramani Mahama has stated that this year’s closed fishing season will be implemented for semi-industrial and industrial trawlers. However, the President has indicated that there will be no closed fishing season for artisanal fisherfolk this year.”

The government has assured that it will explore alternative measures to prevent the depletion of fisheries stocks and achieve the objectives behind the introduction of the closed season.

These measures are expected to be announced in due course.

Source: Lead News Online