The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, has renewed her commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s oceans through direct engagement with coastal communities. On her latest working tour, she visited Akonu, Agyan, and Domunli in the Nzema East District, continuing a broader consultation process on the planned designation of the Greater Cape Three Points as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The proposed MPA, spanning parts of Ahanta West and Nzema East, is a bold step to reverse the alarming depletion of fish stocks and to secure the future of artisanal fishing communities. Scientists have identified the area as a vital breeding and resting ground for fish — a natural lifeline that must be preserved.
Speaking to the communities, Hon. Arthur stressed that MPAs are not about taking opportunities away but about giving back to the sea so it can continue to sustain livelihoods. “Protecting this critical habitat means restoring fish populations, ensuring better catches for the future, and safeguarding the heritage of our coastal people,” she explained.
The Minister also commended local fishers for their growing support, particularly their efforts to abandon illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices such as light fishing, which devastate marine ecosystems. She called on all Ghanaians to view ocean protection as a shared responsibility, noting that the survival of fishing communities — and the nutrition of millions — depends on healthy seas.
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