Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Emelia Arthur has issued a strong warning to fishermen and fishmongers across Ghana over dangerous fishing and preservation practices she says are putting lives at risk and threatening public health.
While announcing the 2026 close season schedule, the Minister shifted attention beyond marine conservation to the growing health dangers linked to illegal activities within the fisheries sector.
She condemned the continued use of destructive fishing methods such as light fishing, dynamite, and chemical substances, warning that the practices not only destroy marine ecosystems and deplete fish stocks but also contaminate seafood consumed by Ghanaians.
According to her, fish harvested through such harmful methods could expose consumers to serious long-term health complications.
Even more alarming, she said, is the reported use of formalin by some fishmongers to preserve fish before sale.
Madam Arthur described the practice as highly dangerous, stressing that formalin is a chemical used for preserving dead bodies and should never be used on food meant for human consumption.
She warned that consuming fish treated with formalin could lead to severe health complications, including organ damage and other chronic illnesses.
“This is not just a fisheries issue anymore—it is a public health concern,” she emphasised.
The Minister said safeguarding consumers requires collective responsibility and urged stakeholders across the fisheries value chain to adopt safer and more sustainable methods.
She stressed that economic challenges should never be used as an excuse to endanger lives and called on community leaders and fish traders to help educate younger generations on responsible fishing and food preservation practices.
Madam Arthur said protecting marine resources must go hand in hand with protecting the health of consumers.
