The Fisheries Commission has approved 39 trawl vessels for licensing in the second quarter of 2026, following a review of applications by the Fishery Licence Evaluation Committee.
The Commission said it received and assessed 45 applications for trawl vessel licence renewals covering the period from 1st April to 30th June 2026.
After the evaluation process, 39 vessels met all regulatory requirements and were recommended for licensing.
The remaining six applications are still pending due to documentation issues, the Commission stated.
Affected vessel owners have been notified and are being engaged to rectify the outstanding gaps before their licences can be considered.
The Fishery Licence Evaluation Committee conducts quarterly reviews to ensure compliance with the Fisheries Act, licensing conditions, and Ghana’s international obligations on sustainable fisheries management.
The assessment covers areas such as vessel ownership, gear specifications, catch history, and adherence to monitoring, control, and surveillance requirements.
The Fisheries Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in the licensing process, stressing that strict enforcement is key to curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and protecting marine resources.
Licensed vessels for Q2 2026 are expected to operate under strict monitoring, including the use of vessel monitoring systems and observer coverage, in line with the Commission’s measures to promote sustainable fishing.
The Commission urged all operators to ensure full compliance with licence conditions to avoid sanctions and support the long-term health of Ghana’s fisheries sector.
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Source:
opemsuo.com