Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, has clarified that the 2025 closed season does not apply to artisanal or canoe fishers.
This follows concerns raised by opposition NPP members, including the party’s National Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, who claimed the decision contradicts President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promise not to impose a fishing ban on artisanal fishers.
But in a statement issued by the Ministry on Monday, June 23, the Minister reiterated that the exemption for canoe fishers remains in force.
“However, this exemption does not absolve artisanal fishers from complying with other traditional and statutory fisheries regulations,” the Ministry noted.
According to the Ministry, the closed season begins on July 1 and ends on August 31, 2025.
It applies to industrial trawlers, which will observe a two-month closure, and semi-industrial inshore vessels, which are to observe a one-month closure from July 1 to 31.
The annual closed season is part of government’s fisheries management strategy aimed at protecting Ghana’s marine resources.
The Ministry says the move supports long-term sustainability, food security, and job creation in the fisheries sector.
The policy is in line with Ghana’s national fisheries strategy and global best practices for sustainable resource management.
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