Welcome to the Official Website of the Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana. West Africa.

BACKGROUND

The (FC) advises the Minister in all matters pertaining to the industry.  The current Fisheries Law (Act 625 of 2002) provides for the integration of the Directorate of Fisheries and the Fisheries Commission into a more robust Commission for the regulation and management of the utilization of fisheries

The Fisheries Sector accounts for about 5% of the country’s Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP).  Fish contributes 60% of annual protein intake of Ghanaians. 

The (DOF) of the (MOFA) is responsible for policy formulation and implementation, management and control of the fishing industry under the general guidance and direction of the Minister responsible for Fisheries and a (FC). 

The Directorate is the Secretariat to the Commission

The Directorate is under the leadership of a Director, and has five operational divisions namely
•  Marine Fisheries Mgt Div. (MFMD).
•  Inland Fisheries Mgt (and Aquaculture) Div. (IFMD),
• Marine Fisheries Research Division (MFRD)
• Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Division (MCSD); and
• Administration and Operations Division (A&O)

VISION

The Fisheries Directorate’s vision is to ensure fish availability all year round at affordable prices for local consumption and export.

The Fisheries Directorate exists to promote sustainable and thriving fisheries enterprises through research, technology development, extension and other support services to fishers, processors and traders and to fulfill its crucial role of ensuring fish food security as an instrument for poverty reduction and foreign exchange earnings.

The Fisheries Directorate’s goal is to achieve accelerated and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture growth, poverty reduction, foreign exchange earnings, promotion of gender equity, ensure social protection and empowerment of fishing communities within a decentralization environment.

Key functions of the Fisheries Directorate’s are:

Policy

• Formulation and implementation of appropriate policies in support of a sustainable fishing industry.

Service Delivery

• Provide technical support to fishermen, fish processors and traders on improved fishing practices, efficient utilization and management of fisheries resources.
• Play a facilitating role in inputs acquisition and marketing of produce to fishers, fish farmers, fish processors and traders.
• Collaborate with sub-regional and international organizations in the study and management of shared fisheries resources.
• Facilitate skills development of fisheries staff.

Coordination, supervision and performance monitoring

• Initiate, coordinate, monitor and evaluate national programmes and projects in the fishing industry.
• Generate socio-economic data as a basis for improving the human capacity of the fishing industry.

Regulatory

• Ensure the implementation of the fisheries law and regulations.

Implementation of programmes and policies for the marine fisheries sector which includes the canoe fleet, inshore fleet, deep-sea fleet and the tuna fleet;

Positional analysis of fishing vessels and collation of fish landings in the four coastal regions covering all the various types of the fishery;

Marine extension services, registration of new fishing vessels including canoes and the issue of fishing licences;

Implementation of policies and programmes for inland fisheries developments relating to lakes, lagoons, reservoirs and aquaculture;

Expansion of the aquaculture sector to establish it as a viable complementary source of fish production to the capture fisheries;

Providing linkages between research and extension service as Subject Matter Specialists and extension of programmes of pilot fish farms for demonstration of production technologies, adaptive research, training of extensions and farmers and production of brood stocks and certified fish seed; and

Collection of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture data for the management of Inland Fisheries, stocks and environmental monitoring and extension.

Carrying out fisheries research and developing the relevant technology based on the research results for the rational exploitation of the fisheries resources of the Country; and to assist in the design/update of Marine Fisheries Management Plans.

Activities include

1. Environmental monitoring
2. Fish stock assessment (fish and fisheries),
3. Development of fishing gear and techniques
4. Processing, analysis and dissemination of fishery statistical data; and
5. Collaborating with international organizations such as
1. FAO
2. ICCAT
3. UNESCO
4. CECAF
5. ATLAFCO
6. FCWC

Enforcement of fishery regulations

Undertaking observer programmes to have knowledge of fishing operations carried out by the vessels at sea

Apprehending vessels both foreign and local found to be fishing illegally

Sending inspectors on board fishing vessels to insure compliance with the Fisheries law

Gathering fisheries intelligence;