President Mahama assents to Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025 

President John Dramani Mahama has assented to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, marking a historic milestone in Ghana’s fisheries governance.

The new Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, Act 1146, introduces bold reforms aimed at ensuring sustainability, compliance, and improved livelihood, especially among small-scale fishers.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture announced this in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

It stated that the legislation, which was passed by Parliament in July 2025, represented a transformative step towards building a sustainable, equitable, and economically viable fisheries sector that met international standards.

Key highlights of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025, Act 1146, among others are, the establishment of an Independent Fisheries Commission, which is a fully autonomous body to develop, manage, and conserve fisheries and aquaculture resources.

It Act strengthens the legal and regulatory framework by aligning with international best practices, enhancing Ghana's reputation and securing access to global markets.

The law also safeguards seafood exports, ensuring the protection of over $425 million in annual seafood exports, by closing compliance gaps and avoiding trade sanctions.

It provides stricter enforcement measures through the introduction of tougher penalties against illegal fishing, to restore depleted fish stocks and protect marine biodiversity.

Again, the legislation aimed at protecting fisherfolks by improving safety, security, and welfare standards for crew and workers on fishing vessels.

The assented bill had also led to the expansion of the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from six to 12 nautical miles, “protecting breeding grounds and ensuring more catches, to sustain the livelihoods of over 2.7 million artisanal fishers and food security,” the statement said.

It emphasised that the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, was a landmark law that secured Ghana’s fisheries resources, supported livelihoods, strengthened compliance with international trade standards, and positioned the sector for long-term growth and sustainability.

GNA