Ghana’s government has lifted a one-year ban on four industrial fishing vessels that were caught engaging in illegal fishing activities. The vessels, WV Long Xiang 607, WV Long Xiang 608, WV Meng Xin 10, and WV Florence 2, had their fishing licences reinstated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture after completing their suspension period.
The Ministry has warned the vessels’ operators to comply with fishing regulations, or face severe penalties. This move comes as Ghana faces pressure to address illegal fishing practices, with the EU warning of a potential ban on Ghanaian fish exports by 2026 if improvements aren’t made.
The decision highlights Ghana’s efforts to balance enforcement of fishing laws with the need to protect the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry.
