The Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) has secured international sustainability certification for its purse seine and pole-and-line tuna fleets under the globally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard, marking a major milestone for Ghana’s seafood industry.
The certification responds to rising global demand for sustainably sourced tuna and positions Ghana’s tuna sector more competitively on the international market.
The MSC, an international non-profit organisation, sets globally recognised standards for sustainable fishing and responsible seafood supply chains.
According to a statement issued by the MSC and made available to the certification followed a rigorous and independent assessment process conducted by Control Union (UK) Limited.
The assessment examined key areas including fish stock health, ecosystem impacts and fisheries management practices.
The statement noted that in November 2024, the CAPSEN and Grand Bleu fishery harvesting Atlantic tuna off Senegal became the first fishery in West Africa to achieve MSC certification.
“GTA’s certification shows what is possible when a group of fishers choose to be guided by science and international best practice,” the MSC stated.
The certified fleets operate in the Atlantic high seas as well as the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Liberia.
They primarily target skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), with catches landed at the ports of Accra and Tema, Ghana’s main maritime gateways.
The MSC said both fisheries operate under a comprehensive management plan governing the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs), in line with conservation guidelines set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
It added that the industry has made significant investments in skipper and fisher training, strategies to protect endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, and improved data collection and monitoring systems to ensure responsible fishing operations.
Mr Michael Marriott, MSC Programme Director for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, said MSC certification goes beyond meeting market demands, as it recognises fishers who are genuinely committed to improving environmental performance.
On his part, Mr Frank Aihoon, President of the Ghana Tuna Association, described the certification as a proud achievement and a significant milestone for Ghana’s tuna and seafood industry.
He said the success would not have been possible without the dedication of GTA members, industry stakeholders, fisheries improvement project partners and management authorities.
By attaining the internationally recognised standard, Mr Aihoon noted that the association was reaffirming its commitment to sustainability, the long-term growth of the Ghana tuna industry and the responsibility to preserve healthier oceans for future generations.
