The Chief Fisherman of Tema Awudum, Nii Ashitey Odamtey II, has raised alarm over the alarming rate of illegal fishing along Ghana’s coastline. According to him, over 80 percent of the country’s coastal communities are involved in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, a situation he warns could cripple the nation’s fisheries sector if not urgently addressed with sustainable alternatives and effective enforcement measures. He made the revelation at a public durbar held at the Tema Canoe Basin, on the 16th of April 2025, organized by final-year students of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) as part of their academic capstone project.
The durbar, held under the theme “Sustaining Our Seas: Combating Illegal Fishing Through Community Action”, was part of a final year campaign project by four students from the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB). The initiative sought to drive behavioral change among artisanal fishermen towards ending IUU fishing practices.
Officials from the Fisheries Commission, and the Marine Police Unit of the Tema Regional Police Command educated the gathering on the dangers of using chemicals, unapproved nets, and other harmful fishing practices which is against the law of Ghana and that of the international fisheries conventions. They also emphasized the importance of safe fish handling and sustainable fishing practices among fishermen and fish processors.
The Awudum chief fisherman, Nii Ashitey Odametey II, who chaired the event, emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating that while 80 percent of coastal areas are actively involved in illegal fishing, the remaining 20 percent have ceased fishing altogether due to challenges within the sector.
Some concerned fishers and processors blamed the rampant illegal fishing on Ghanaian waters on Industrial trawlers and not artisanal fishermen. They appealed to the government to crack the whip and also support fishermen with alternative livelihood programs.
Philip Akuteu Azu, leader of the Four-member AUCB student campaign group which comprises of George Opata, Patience Afari Yeboau and Olive Sika as members, said the campaign project which forms part of their final year capstone project was key to the school’s vision which touches on using communication to effect development. He said the need to choose a campaign on illegal fishing was very necessary due to the fact that fish forms part of the country’s 60% protein and there was a need to ensure fishermen engages in safe fishing practices which will insure to the good of the people and also the country’s economy. George Opata also stressed the need for government to address concerns and challenges raised by the fishermen and provide alternative livelihood for the fishermen during the closed season so the overdependence on the sea can reduce which will help keep our fishes to grow.
The one day durbar brought together fishermen, fish traders/processors, canoe owners, personnel from the Marine Poloce Ubit and the Fisheries Commision of Ghana as well as members of the public.