The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has disclosed that the government has developed a comprehensive fisheries management plan aimed at revitalising Ghana’s declining fish production and strengthening the sustainability of the sector.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, February 25, the Minister expressed concern about the persistent challenges facing the industry, noting that Ghana’s fisheries sector has experienced steady pressure in recent years due to overfishing, environmental degradation, illegal practices, and insufficient regulation in parts of the value chain.

She stressed that the government recognises the importance of the sector not only for food security but also for employment, livelihoods in coastal and inland communities, and the broader national economy.

According to her, authorities are determined to reverse the downward trend through policy reforms, conservation measures, and targeted investments.

“We get our finish from marine, inland, and aquaculture, and we need to do conservation activities to improve marine production, and we need to pay attention to inland fisheries.

“Until last year, inland fisheries in this country did not have a management plan. We have developed one, and then we need to close the gap with aquaculture.”

The minister added that “our [Ghana’s] annual fish demand is 1.2 million metric tonnes, but we are only able to produce about 550,000 metric tonnes. So, there is about a 700,000 metric tonnes gap we need to fill.