He warned that uncontrolled human activities at sea were disrupting marine ecosystems and accelerating the depletion of fisheries resources, threatening both livelihoods and food security.
The Case for Marine Spatial Planning
- Define clear zones for fishing, conservation, and industrial activities
- Reduce conflicts among ocean users
- Promote sustainable exploitation of marine resources
- Support the recovery of depleted fish stocks
He pointed out that countries such as Norway have successfully implemented similar systems, restricting certain marine areas even from oil exploration to protect biodiversity.
Declining Fish Stocks Raise Concern
The professor presented extensive data showing that the fisheries sector remains vital to Ghana’s economy and food security, contributing about 1.2% to GDP and supplying nearly 60% of the country’s protein needs.
Despite its importance, he noted a sharp decline in fish populations—particularly Sardinella, a key small pelagic species—due to:
- Overfishing
- Weak enforcement of regulations
- Climate-related factors
He cautioned that failure to reverse the trend could lead to a collapse of livelihoods for fishing communities.
Illegal Fishing Practices Persist
Prof Aggrey-Fynn highlighted the widespread nature of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, including:
- Use of explosives and harmful chemicals
- Light fishing
- Harvesting juvenile fish
He attributed the persistence of these practices to limited monitoring capacity, urging stronger collaboration between government and the Fisheries Commission.
Call for Enforcement and Policy Action
The professor called for strict enforcement of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), noting that the legislation provides adequate tools to regulate the sector.
He advocated stiffer penalties for offenders and appealed for public support to complement the work of enforcement agencies.
“If fishing continues in the old ways, livelihoods in the sector may eventually collapse,” he cautioned.
Additional Recommendations
Prof Aggrey-Fynn further urged government to:
- Fast-track the establishment of a national fisheries college
- Expand marine protection efforts, including the Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area
- Strengthen surveillance and compliance systems
He emphasised that urgent, coordinated action was needed to restore sustainability and secure the future of Ghana’s fisheries sector.
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