Government is exploring marine aquaculture and community-based fish farming as part of a broader strategy to boost domestic fish production, strengthen food security and create jobs, particularly for the youth.
The proposed interventions marine culture (fish farming in the sea) and inland community commercial aquaculture are aimed at reversing declining fish stocks and reducing Ghana’s growing reliance on fish imports.
Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, disclosed this in an interview on the sidelines of a regional workshop on implementing the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) in Accra.
She warned that Ghana’s fisheries sector was under increasing pressure, citing dwindling stocks and weak enforcement as major concerns requiring urgent intervention.
“We are at a critical stage as far as fish stocks and enforcement are concerned. Government, together with stakeholders, will work to restore the sector and ensure sustainability,” she said.
The Minister attributed the decline in fish production to a combination of factors, including overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, climate change impacts, high operational costs, inadequate infrastructure and weak regulatory enforcement.
She noted that Ghana’s annual fish demand currently stands at about 1.2 million metric tonnes, while local production combining marine fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes. This leaves a supply gap of nearly half a million metric tonnes.
Madam Arthur said marine culture, which involves farming fish in open sea environments, was being considered as a new approach to increase output and support sustainable fisheries management.
As part of initial steps, government has granted a provisional licence to Gold Coast Mariculture Limited to undertake what could become Ghana’s first marine aquaculture project.
Fish remains a critical component of the national diet, contributing close to 60 percent of animal protein intake, making the need to secure supply increasingly urgent.
Marine aquaculture is already well established in countries such as China, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Vietnam, Chile and the Philippines, where it has significantly boosted fish production and export potential.
For instance, Vietnam has scaled up farming of high-value species such as lobster, cobia and grouper, positioning itself as a leading global aquaculture hub while easing pressure on wild fish stocks.
Findings indicate that several private sector players have already expressed interest in investing in Ghana’s marine culture initiative, which aligns with the country’s broader blue economy agenda.
Dr Andrews Agyekumhene, a senior lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at the University of Ghana, described marine culture as a viable solution to Ghana’s fish production challenges.
He emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between government and private investors to ensure the success of the initiative.
According to him, while the private sector can provide capital and technical expertise, government must focus on establishing clear regulatory frameworks and ensuring strict enforcement.
Dr Agyekumhene noted that although marine aquaculture requires extensive technical preparation and environmental safeguards, implementation could begin within two years if the necessary groundwork is completed.
He explained that feasibility studies would need to be conducted in selected coastal zones, including parts of the Central Region, Ada and the Volta estuary, to determine suitability for marine fish farming.
These studies, he said, would assess water quality, ecological sustainability, habitat conditions, security and commercial viability.
He cautioned that some areas, such as parts of the Western Region and Tema, may face limitations due to pollution from illegal mining and industrial activities, which could undermine marine farming operations.
Despite these challenges, he indicated that properly managed marine culture could significantly contribute to rebuilding fish stocks and enhancing long-term sustainability.
The initiative is expected to complement existing conservation efforts, including Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area located around the Greater Cape Three Points in the Western Region.
The protected area, which spans over 700 square kilometres, serves as a critical breeding ground for marine species and supports biodiversity conservation, including habitats for sharks, sea turtles and dolphins.
Authorities believe that combining conservation measures with increased aquaculture production could provide a balanced approach to restoring Ghana’s fisheries sector while meeting rising demand.
