Busan, South Korea – April 30, 2025
In a decisive step toward strengthening international cooperation on sustainable fisheries governance, Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, on the sidelines of the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea.
The high-level meeting focused on the status of the Ghana-EU IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) Fishing Dialogue and the critical steps required for the lifting of the EU’s yellow card imposed on Ghana. The yellow card designates Ghana as a non-cooperating country in the fight against IUU fishing and signals the need for improved fisheries governance and enforcement.
Hon. Emelia Arthur reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Ghana’s new administration to address the remaining gaps in the IUU dialogue process. She highlighted significant progress made in recent months, including a comprehensive legal review, the strengthening of port control measures, and the adoption of electronic monitoring systems on industrial vessels to improve transparency and enforcement in Ghana’s fisheries sector.
“Ghana is taking bold and concrete steps to ensure that our fisheries are sustainably managed and that illegal fishing is decisively curbed,” Hon. Arthur stated. “We are committed to fulfilling all pending actions and working with our partners to restore full compliance and protect the livelihoods of our coastal communities.”
In support of the Executive’s efforts, Hon. Godfred Jasaw, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and Cocoa Affairs, assured the European delegation of Parliament’s full backing. He pledged swift action to facilitate the passage of the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill and accompanying regulations, as well as the ratification of key international agreements vital to effective fisheries governance.
Director-General Vitcheva welcomed Ghana’s renewed commitment and applauded the progress achieved so far. She reaffirmed the EU’s continuous support for Ghana in the dialogue process and encouraged the country to strengthen regional and international partnerships to complement domestic enforcement and capacity-building efforts.
The bilateral engagement signals a positive trajectory in Ghana’s efforts to restore compliance with international fisheries standards and reinforces the country’s role as a key player in the global fight against IUU fishing.
The Our Ocean Conference continues through April 30, bringing together global leaders to discuss sustainable solutions for ocean governance, marine protection, and blue economy development.
