The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has announced a closed fishing season for Ghana’s marine fishing fleet in 2026 as part of efforts to protect fish stocks and strengthen food security.
The directive, issued by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Emelia Arthur, is in line with Section 47 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146).
Under the arrangement, industrial trawlers will be barred from fishing for two months from 1 July to 31 August 2026.
Semi industrial inshore vessels will observe a one-month closure from 1 July to 31 July 2026.
Marine canoe fisheries using outboard motors are exempted from the closure. However, they are expected to comply with existing fishing regulations and community based fishing holidays.
The ministry says the measure is intended to help restore depleted fish stocks, improve long term fish production and protect livelihoods that depend on the sector. It is also part of broader efforts to ensure sustainable management of Ghana’s marine resources.
Fishing bans during peak seasons are periodically introduced in Ghana as part of marine conservation and fisheries management strategies aimed at reversing declining catches in coastal waters.
