The Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) has praised the government’s recent decision to extend the country’s Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from six to 12 nautical miles, a development hailed as a major win for small-scale fishers.
Announced by Fisheries Minister Madam Emelia Arthur at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the expansion aims to provide greater protection and exclusive access to Ghana’s artisanal fishing communities along the coast.
Nana Kweigyah, National President of CaFGOAG, said the announcement during a conference side event marked a significant milestone in the fight against illegal industrial fishing that has long threatened the livelihoods of coastal fishers.
“This extension will improve safety and fishing opportunities for small-scale operators and represents a critical step toward sustainable marine resource management,” Nana Kweigyah told the Ghana News Agency.
The association views the move as an endorsement of small-scale fishers’ roles in monitoring and managing marine resources, reinforcing calls for the IEZ to be designated as a fully co-managed Artisanal Stewardship Area. This aligns with commitments made by African, Caribbean, and Pacific ministers at a recent regional fisheries meeting in Tanzania.
CaFGOAG also appealed to development partners, NGOs, and other stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to enforce the expanded zone and protect Ghana’s coastal waters from destructive fishing practices.
The decision signals a growing recognition of artisanal fishers as vital custodians of marine biodiversity and food security, promising stronger community involvement in safeguarding Ghana’s fisheries for future generations.
