Executive Summary

The fisheries resources of Ghana have long been a pillar of the national economy, contributing significantly to her socio-economic development. The fisheries sector generates over US$1 billion in revenue each year and accounts for at least 4.5% of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector also provides livelihood for an estimated 10% of the population representing about 2.5million people who are employed directly or indirectly including their dependents. Significantly, fish constitutes 60% of animal protein consumed in Ghana.

Available scientific evidence indicates a gradual decrease in the stocks of fish within Ghana's fisheries waters due to increasing fishing effort. There has also been weak enforcement and noncompliance with the current fishery management measures. Reversing the trend of stock depletion to support the socio-economic development and food security for present and future generations of Ghanaians requires bold and immediate policy and management actions.

It is therefore, imperative to develop a national strategic framework to halt further decline and rebuild the fish stocks through a Fisheries Management Plan, the purpose of which is:

      i.         to reduce the excessive pressure on fish stocks

     ii.         to ensure that fish stocks within the fisheries waters of Ghana are exploited within biologically acceptable levels;

    iii.         to ensure that the fisheries legislation is implemented to protect the nation's fish resources;

    iv.         to protect marine habitats and bio-diversity;

     v.         to contribute to enhancing export opportunities and strengthening value addition;

    vi.         to strengthen participatory decision making in fisheries management (co-management); and

  vii.         to meet Ghana's regional and international fisheries management obligations.

Accordingly, the Fisheries Management Plan sets out a formal harvest strategy for the fishery and provides direction for the formulation of management actions within the context of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 880), Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968) and Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 (L.I. 2217).

This strategy does not encompass (organized) fisheries crime.