The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has announced it will prosecute fishermen caught using illegal nets. Some fishing communities are breaking the law by using nets with very small mesh sizes.
These nets, some as small as 5mm, catch juvenile fish and young adult fish species. This is far below the legally approved mesh size.
The ministry stated this practice is a serious concern and directly harms the future of fish stocks.
Catching young fish before they can reproduce significantly reduces the number of fish available in the future. This impacts both the environment and the livelihoods of fishermen.
The ministry warned that continued use of these unapproved nets will result in prosecution.
This action aims to protect marine resources and ensure sustainable fishing practices for Ghana.
The specific penalties for those prosecuted were not detailed.
Ghana's fisheries are vital for food security and the economy. Protecting young fish is key to their long-term survival.