Fisheries Commission, Wildlife Division Move to Strengthen Protection of Sharks in Ghana
The Fisheries Commission, working with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, convened a high-level stakeholder meeting in Accra on Friday, 16 January 2025, to deliberate on strengthened measures for the sustainable management of shark harvesting in Ghana.
The engagement focused on the growing concern over the rapid decline in shark populations and the need to align national fisheries practices with global conservation standards. Participants underscored that sharks are internationally classified as endangered and play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Their depletion, the meeting noted, poses serious ecological and economic risks, particularly to coastal communities that depend on healthy fish stocks.
Discussions centered on the strict enforcement of Section 45 of the Fisheries Act, 2025 (Act 1146), which regulates the capture, landing, trade, and possession of sharks and their products. Officials emphasized the need for improved monitoring at landing sites, enhanced surveillance at sea, and closer collaboration between fisheries officers, wildlife authorities, law enforcement agencies, and traditional leaders in fishing communities.
The meeting also explored the development of joint operational frameworks between the Fisheries Commission and the Wildlife Division to strengthen data collection, compliance inspections, and public education on protected species. Capacity building for fisheries observers and the use of modern tracking and reporting systems were identified as key tools to support enforcement.
In reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to marine conservation, the institutions stressed that responsible shark management is essential not only for biodiversity protection but also for sustaining the long-term viability of the fisheries sector. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to inform policy directives and coordinated action plans aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal populations.
