Illegal fishing, weak enforcement driving Ghana’s declining fish stocks — Prof. Aggrey-Fynn

A Professor of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, Joseph Aggrey-Fynn, has attributed Ghana’s declining fish stocks largely to illegal fishing practices and weak enforcement of existing regulations, warning that the country risks further depletion of its marine resources if urgent action is not taken.

Delivering his inaugural lecture at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on the theme: “Ghana’s Declining Fisheries Resources: Reality or Myth”, Prof. Aggrey-Fynn stated emphatically that the decline in fish stocks was real and supported by scientific evidence.”

He identified illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a major contributor to the problem, noting that destructive methods such as the use of small mesh nets, explosives and harmful chemicals continued to threaten marine life and human health.

“IUU fishing must stop or at least be reduced to the barest minimum,” he stressed, explaining that such practices not only destroy fish stocks but also undermine the livelihoods of fishers themselves.

According to him, although regulations existed, the inability to effectively monitor Ghana’s vast coastline made enforcement difficult, allowing illegal activities to persist.

Prof. Aggrey-Fynn further highlighted that the country’s fisheries sector, which supported the livelihoods of nearly three million Ghanaians and contributed significantly to national nutrition, was under serious pressure.

He explained that fish accounted for about 60 per cent of the animal protein consumed in Ghana, with per capita consumption exceeding the global average, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the sector.

Tracing the historical trajectory of the industry, he noted that Ghana’s fisheries experienced significant growth between the 1950s and 1980s, a period he described as the “golden years,” driven by increased fishing effort and expansion of fleets.

However, he said the absence of strong conservation measures during that period, coupled with increasing fishing pressure, laid the foundation for the current decline.

The professor also pointed to climate change as an emerging factor affecting the stocks, explaining that rising sea temperatures were forcing fish species to migrate to cooler waters, thereby reducing local catch.

Policy interventions

On policy interventions, Prof. Aggrey-Fynn acknowledged recent efforts, including the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), which introduced stricter penalties and improved regulatory frameworks.

He, however, emphasised that laws alone were not sufficient without strict enforcement and stakeholder cooperation.

“We have good laws, but enforcement remains the challenge,” he noted, calling for stronger collaboration between government, regulatory bodies and fishing communities.