Fisheries (Port State Measures) Regulations, 2024 (L.I. 2490).

These Regulations establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework adopted by the Republic of Ghana to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to give effect to the international Port State Measures Agreement. Their overarching objective is to deter, prevent, and eliminate IUU fishing while ensuring the conservation, sustainable use, and effective management of fisheries resources. The scope is broad, applying to all fishing and fishing-related vessels—including artisanal, semi-industrial, industrial, and foreign vessels—operating within Ghanaian waters or engaged in fishing-related activities connected to Ghana. The Regulations integrate Ghana’s international commitments into national law and create a unified compliance system covering access, monitoring, and enforcement.
The Regulations set out detailed rules on vessel importation, registration, licensing, and authorization of fishing activities both within and outside Ghanaian waters. They impose strict documentation and verification requirements, including statutory declarations regarding a vessel’s history with IUU fishing, proof of ownership, insurance, and safety certification. Licensing regimes are differentiated by vessel category and are subject to conditions such as gear restrictions, catch limits, observer carriage, and reporting obligations. Ghanaian vessels operating beyond national jurisdiction must comply with applicable international conservation and management measures. Transshipment activities are tightly regulated through advance authorization, notification, and reporting requirements, supported by monitoring systems and observer oversight.
Operationally, the Regulations establish robust compliance, control, and enforcement mechanisms. These include mandatory vessel monitoring systems, electronic logbooks, timely submission of catch data, routine inspections at sea and in port, and cooperation with authorized officers. Port entry and access to port services may be denied to vessels suspected of IUU fishing, and violations attract severe sanctions, including substantial fines, cancellation of licenses, and withdrawal of authorizations. The framework also provides procedural safeguards through the establishment of a Port State Measures Appeals Committee, with appeal rights extending to the High Court. Supplementary schedules detail inspection procedures, reporting formats, training guidelines, and data requirements, reinforcing transparency, traceability, and accountability across the fisheries sector.