The Joint Industrial Fisheries Sector (JIFS) of Ghana has strongly rejected the newly passed Fisheries Bill, warning that its implementation could cripple the country's industrial fishing industry and threaten national food security and livelihoods.

In a joint petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) and the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) called for an immediate halt to presidential assent until their concerns are addressed.

Signed by Frank K. Aihoon (President, GTA), Stephen Adjokatcher (Ag. President, GITA), and Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio (Vice President, NAFAG), the petition—dated July 11, 2025—warns that a key clause in the Bill, if enacted, would have devastating consequences for the sector and the broader economy.

At the heart of the controversy is a provision to extend Ghana’s Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles, a move the group argues would bar industrial vessels from vital fishing grounds they have operated in for decades.

“Our vessels are Ghanaian-flagged, meaning they are artificial citizens of Ghana,” the petition said.

“By legislating us out of the 12-nautical mile territorial sea, it’s as if we are being ostracised from our own country.”

The Associations warned that the new provision could not only disrupt their operations but also expose Ghanaian vessels and offshore personnel to threats from criminal bandits and terrorist groups in deeper waters.

They also cautioned that the new Bill could lead to job losses, hinder growth in Ghana’s blue economy, and negatively impact national food security at a time when the sector is already struggling with climate change and international competition.

The industrial fisheries groups expressed disappointment that the Bill disregards the consensus reached during previous stakeholder consultations.

According to them, there was general agreement on three key points:

The current IEZ—defined as 6 nautical miles or the 30-meter depth contour—is problematic;

The IEZ should be maintained at 6 nautical miles only;

Any future expansion should be backed by new, peer-reviewed scientific data.

“The proposed amendment is not supported by science,” the group stated. “It is an emotional reaction to enforcement issues, and anecdotal evidence must not be used to punish the entire industrial fishing community.”

The Associations argued that Ghana’s IEZ is already among the most restrictive in the West African sub-region.

Neighbouring countries like Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia all maintain IEZs of only 5 to 6 nautical miles.

“All our vessels—tuna and trawl—are equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and carry 100% observer coverage.

The Ghana Navy and Maritime Authority have 24-hour surveillance over our activities,” they emphasised.

The fisheries groups called for the use of independently verified ecological and bathymetric data before any extension of the IEZ is considered.

They further warned that the bill’s passage could undermine Ghana’s international credibility on sustainable fisheries management, deter foreign investment, and jeopardise thousands of livelihoods in the coastal economy.

“The future of Ghana’s industrial fishing sector is at stake,” the associations stressed, urging President Mahama to withhold assent and initiate further dialogue.