Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act No. 625 of 2002).

The Act makes provision for the establishment of the Fisheries Commission and defines its powers and functions and powers and organization structure, provides for the establishment of a Fisheries Development Fund and its use and regulates the management and conservation of fishery resources of Ghana including aquaculture and small-scale fishing.
The Act consists of 140 sections divided into 5 Parts: Fisheries Commission (I); Administration (II); Fisheries Development Fund (III); Fisheries Management and development (IV); Jurisdiction and evidence (V). Part IV is divided into 10 Sub-parts: Fishery plans (I); Local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels (II); Artisanal fishing, aquaculture and recreational fishing (III); Foreign fishing vessels (IV); Fishing licences for industrial and semi industrial vessels (V); Fishing zones, gear, methods and manning of motor vessel (VI) Fishing activities (VII); Conservation measures (VIII). Monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement (IX); Detention, sale release and forfeiture of property (X).
The Commission is established as a body corporate under section 1 and shall be headed by a Director of Fisheries (sect. 17). The Fisheries Commission shall carry out various functions in relation to management and conservation of fisheries resources of Ghana set out in section 2). The Commission may appoint various Committees and divisions and shall at any rate appoint a Fisheries Settlement Committee pursuant to section 10 and be divided into the Divisions set out in section 15. The objective of the Fisheries Development Fund is set out in section 38. The Fund shall be managed by the Commission. Fishery plans to be prepared by the Commission pursuant to section 42 may relate to specific waters or specified fish species. Section 51 concerns the development of artisanal fishing. Sections 61 and following concern fishing activities by foreigners. A register of licences shall be kept by the Commission pursuant to section 79. Sub-part VII provides for closed seasons, restrictions on use fishing methods including driftnet fishing. Sub-part VIII contains provisions relative to fishing for marine mammals, pollution of fishery waters, marine reserves and fisheries impact assessments.