The Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) has reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainability, improving regulatory compliance, and boosting the competitiveness of Ghana’s tuna sector on the international market.
In a statement to commemorate World Tuna Day, observed annually on May 2, the Association urged stakeholders to work together to preserve tuna resources for both present and future generations.
The United Nations General Assembly officially designated the day in 2017 to promote the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna species worldwide.
The President of the GTA, Frank Alhoon, underscored the importance of tuna to Ghana’s economy, describing it as a major source of employment, export revenue and food security.
He noted that the industry continues to support livelihoods in coastal communities while strengthening Ghana’s presence in the global seafood market.
Dedication
He reaffirmed the association’s dedication to the responsible management of tuna stocks, emphasising that the future of the industry depended on strict adherence to sustainable fishing practices, effective oversight, and strong partnerships among stakeholders.
Certification
Highlighting progress made in recent years, the Association cited Ghana’s attainment of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its Atlantic skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries as a significant achievement.
He said the certification reflected compliance with globally accepted standards for sustainable fishing.
Despite these gains, the Association highlighted several challenges confronting the tuna fishing industry.
These include illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, rising operational costs, limited access to modern fishing equipment, and inadequate cold storage and processing infrastructure.
The sector, it said, was also grappling with climate change impacts, such as shifting fish migration patterns and declining stock levels, as well as increasing competition in the global market and stringent international regulatory requirements.
Action
The GTA cautioned that sustaining recent progress would require continuous effort and stronger collaboration.
It called for closer cooperation between government institutions, regulators, industry operators, and international partners to address these persistent issues.
The Association further emphasised the need to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, improve access to financing for industry players, and invest in technology and capacity building to enhance productivity.
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Source:
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