Four fishing trawlers suspended for violations - Emelia Arthur

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, has disclosed that her ministry has suspended the licences of four trawlers, preventing them from operating within Ghanaian waters.

Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Arthur said the suspension of the licences became necessary following the affected operators’ violations of multiple fishing regulations.

She said the development forms part of the ministry’s enforcement measures to clamp down on illegal activities in the fisheries sector.

“… we have suspended licenses of four trawlers for multiple regulatory violations,” she said.

The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Shama, further outlined other accomplishments under the fisheries enforcement measures.

She stated that a collaborative joint task force comprising the Ghana Navy, Marine Police, and local community-based enforcement committees, collectively forming the Fisheries Enforcement Unit, has arrested individuals involved in the illegal dealing of premix fuel.

“The ministry, through the Fisheries Commission, has intensified enforcement efforts. The ministry's enforcement efforts come under what we call the FEU, the Fisheries Enforcement Unit, which is led by Ghana Navy, Marine Police, and local community-based enforcement committees.

“… We have also done 24-7 electronic monitoring on all industrial vessels. In fact, yesterday and today, the FEU led by Navy have enforced some measures in some of our key fishing ports. Even this dawn, the operations have arrested people who have been dealing illegally in premix,” she added.

MAG/MA

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: