On 16 July 2025, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, a landmark piece of legislation that reshapes how the country manages its marine resources. One of its most significant provisions is the expansion of the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles, granting artisanal fishers greater protection against industrial trawlers.
This law comes at a crucial time, as Ghana’s fish stocks face intense pressure from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
What the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act Does
- Expands the IEZ: Industrial trawlers are prohibited from fishing within 12 nautical miles of the coast, safeguarding artisanal fishing zones.
- Stronger Enforcement: Introduces stricter penalties for illegal fishing and improved monitoring systems.
- Sustainability Focus: Promotes responsible aquaculture and measures to replenish declining fish stocks.
- Community Rights: Recognises and empowers local fishing communities in decision-making processes.
Impact on the General Public
- Small-Scale Fishers: Gain greater security as the law protects their fishing areas from industrial encroachment, potentially increasing their catch and income.
- Fishing Communities: With fairer access to marine resources, livelihoods may stabilise, reducing poverty along the coast.
- Consumers: A stronger legal framework can help ensure a more reliable supply of fish, stabilising prices in local markets.
- The Environment: By discouraging overfishing and destructive practices, the law promotes healthier marine ecosystems.
- The Economy: With sustainable fishing practices, Ghana protects a vital food source while also preserving export revenues.
VON Law’s View
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act is a timely and forward-looking law. By expanding the IEZ, it corrects years of imbalance where industrial trawlers depleted fish stocks, leaving artisanal fishers struggling.
However, the success of this law depends on enforcement. Without adequate patrols, monitoring technology, and penalties that bite, illegal trawlers may continue to undermine coastal livelihoods. Communities must also be empowered to act as watchdogs.
Advice to the Public
- For Fishers: Familiarise yourself with the new law and know your rights to fish within the expanded IEZ. Report violations by industrial trawlers.
- For Communities: Organise local groups to monitor fishing activities and collaborate with enforcement agencies.
- For Consumers: Support sustainable fishing by buying from artisanal fishers where possible.
- For NGOs & Activists: Use the law as a tool to push for better governance of Ghana’s marine resources.
How VON Law Can Help
At VON Law, we are committed to ensuring that legal protections translate into real benefits for coastal communities:
- Legal Support for Fishers: Assisting artisanal fishers in asserting their rights under the expanded IEZ.
- Community Advocacy: Guiding fishing communities in petitioning authorities when industrial trawlers breach the law.
- Policy Advisory: Supporting NGOs, local authorities, and international partners in aligning their programmes with the new Act.
- Litigation & Enforcement: Representing affected groups in disputes or legal actions involving illegal fishing and environmental harm.
At VON Law, we believe that protecting natural resources is inseparable from protecting people’s livelihoods. This Act is a step forward and we are here to ensure that its promises are fully realised.