Ministerial Directive Regarding the Implementation of Closed Seasons for Industrial Trawlers under The Fisheries Management Plan of Ghana (2015 -2019)

In c"se of reply rhe numbtr and dare of this letter sfum{d be quU(ed Tel: +233 302 675 155 fax:+233 302 675 146 REPUSLIC OF vllA.,A My Ref. No: f;§.:/7.PlJ.!f /D./ Your Ref. No: ............................... . ALL INDUSTRIAL TRAWLER OPERATORS MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT P. 0. BOX GP 630 ACCRA-GHANA 15TII JUNE 2016 MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVE REi - IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOSED SEASONS FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAWLERS UNDER THE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN OF GHANA (2015 -2019} The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) and the Fisheries Commission (FC) has prepared a Fisheries Management Plan of Ghana (Marine Fisheries Sector, 2015 - 20 I 9) in accordance with sections 42 - 44 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625). The Fisheries Management Plan was granted Cabinet approval on 30th April, 20 IS and Gazetted on I S'h October 2015. The key objectives of the Fisheries Management Plan are as follows: (i) To reduce the excessive pressure on fish stocks; (ii) To ensure that fish stocks within the marine waters of Ghana are exploited within the biologically acceptable levels; (iii) To protect marine habitats and bio-diversity; (iv) To contribute to enhancing export opportunities and strengthening value addition; and (v) · o meet Ghana's regional and international obligations in fisheries management. One of th strategies for achieving the aforementioned key objectives of the Fisheries Managem< t Plan is the implementation of closed seasons for fishing in Ghanaian waters. ln accorda: :e with sections 76(3) and 84 of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), the Minister for Fisher s and Aquaculture Development wishes to inform all industrial trawler operators t at the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission has declared close<l seasons for all industri trawlers for the periods I" - 30'h November 2016 and I" February - 31 st March 201 '. TI1e Minist r for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development hereby directs owners, operators and masten f industrial trawlers to comply with the declared closed seasons. Snnclions l or Violation Sanctions :,r violation of the closed seasons shall be in accordance with section 84(4) of lhe Fisheri, , Act, 2002 (Act 625). The prescribe fine for violating the closed seasons ranges fron US$500,000 and US$2 million and in addition may forfeit to the State the catch, the fi · g gear or vessel. Cc CHIEF DIRECTOR MOFAD, ACCRA DIRECTOR FISHF.RIES COMMISSION, ACCRA PRESIDENT, GHANA INDUSTRIAL TRAWLERS ASSOCIATION TEMA PRESrDENT, NAFAG TEMA