An international marine conservation organisation, Blue Ventures, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, at the Ministry as part of its ongoing mission to strengthen collaboration on sustainable fisheries management in Ghana.The meeting provided an opportunity for Blue Ventures to outline its objectives, share its current mission activities, and explore avenues for deepening partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in support of national fisheries priorities.
Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Emelia Arthur expressed appreciation for Blue Ventures’ support in the organisation of the National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers held in Accra last year. She commended the organisation for its community-centred approach to fisheries conservation and expressed hope for strengthened collaboration that would further support government’s efforts to rebuild fish stocks, protect marine ecosystems, and improve livelihoods in coastal communities.
Blue Ventures is an international organisation that works closely with coastal communities to restore fisheries, conserve marine biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods. The organisation began its work in West Africa in 2023 and has since developed partnerships and initiatives in Senegal, The Gambia, and Cape Verde. Its approach places strong emphasis on community leadership, co-management systems, and technical support for small-scale fisheries organisations.
The delegation noted that following an exploratory mission to Ghana in 2025, Blue Ventures was encouraged by the strong commitment demonstrated by stakeholders toward sustainable fisheries management. Key policy measures, including the extension of the artisanal Inshore Exclusive Zone and the establishment of Landing Beach Enforcement Committees (LaBECs), were highlighted as important steps toward safeguarding small-scale fisheries and improving compliance at the community level.
Outlining the objectives of its current mission, scheduled from 22 February to 2 March 2026, Blue Ventures explained that the visit aims to deepen collaboration with the Ministry, partners, and coastal communities; review and advance a proposed partnership agreement with the Ministry; and undertake field visits to selected landing beaches. These visits are intended to provide first-hand understanding of fishing activities and enable direct interaction with local stakeholders, particularly LaBECs, to better appreciate how community-based enforcement structures function in practice.
The mission will also include engagements with potential partners such as the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast, the CaFGOAG, the GNCFC, the GFRA, and other key fisheries stakeholders. Through these interactions, Blue Ventures seeks to co-develop work plans that align with national priorities and strengthen co-management arrangements across the fisheries sector.
Hon. Emelia Arthur welcomed the mission and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with credible partners whose interventions support community participation, evidence-based management, and long-term sustainability. She noted that partnerships that complement government programmes with technical expertise and knowledge sharing are critical to achieving lasting impact in fisheries governance.
The courtesy call underscores the shared commitment of the Ministry and Blue Ventures to advancing sustainable fisheries in Ghana through collaboration, community empowerment, and practical actions that protect marine resources while supporting the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities.
