Ghanaian govt bans fishing for a month to protect some species of fishes

The government of Ghana has declared dates for the activation of its ban on fishing in the country’s waterbodies. The ban, dubbed ‘closed season’, is aimed at protecting some species of fishes such as mackerel and anchovies that are going into extinction due to poor fishing practices.

The Ghanaian government has announced the new dates starting from May 15 to June 15, 2019 during a press conference in the capital Accra on April 10. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries said the dates were agreed upon after extensive consultation and stakeholder engagements.

The ministry further explained it would also generally allow fishes, in general, to breed thereby increasing their stock to and sustain corresponding bumper harvest for the fishermen. After extensive consultation and stakeholder engagement, 30 days from May 15 to June 15 have been agreed as the period for inshore and artisanal fishermen to do their close season.

The close season law was passed in 2002 and it is mandatory for the fisheries sector to observe it.

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