Ghana’s strong commitment to tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in its waters has been praised by Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
The Commissioner has publicly thanked Ghana and the country’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Sherry Ayittey, for the progress made in close cooperation with the EU, which resulted in the lifting of its so-called “yellow card” on 1 October this year.
This was not only a huge political success for Ghana, he said, but also a clear example for other countries in Africa and around the world that positive change was possible with the right political commitment.
Vella also expressed the Commission's wish to build on this success and pursue close cooperation with Ghana, not just on illegal fishing, but also on broader ocean governance issues.
“This leadership by Sherry shows that it is not just the EU that has a zero tolerance policy on illegal fishing. The IUU process has helped Ghana to improve its national fisheries governance and move towards well managed, sustainable fisheries,” he said.
Fisheries generate over USD 1 billion (EUR 919.9 million) in revenue each year for Ghana and account for almost 5 percent of its GDP. Ten percent of the population is employed directly or indirectly in the sector.
Vella said Ghana had set “a clear example for other countries in Africa and around the world that positive change is possible with the right political commitment,” and also encouraged Ghana to build on this success and continue to take an active role in the fight against IUU fishing.
“In particular, I invite Ghana to continue working with the EU on international tools to fight IUU fishing, including the adoption of the UN Port State Measures Agreement. In this respect Ghana can become a regional role model on IUU.
“I am also convinced that Ghana and the EU can work together more closely to shape ocean governance more broadly. Ghana could be one of our key West African partners in our push for more sustainable fisheries and better ocean governance.
“We already have very good cooperation between the EU and Ghana in the context of the ICCAT negotiations. I want to further reinforce our cooperation in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and also in other regional initiatives,” said Vella.
