Ministry of Fisheries Announces End of 2024 Closed Fishing Season

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has announced this year's closed season for both canoes and inshore fishing vessels, as well as industrial trawlers, starting in July. 

The closed season, observed annually, aims to decrease fishing pressure, allowing fish to lay eggs and replenish their populations.

Mavis Hawa Koomson disclosed the details at a press briefing, emphasizing that thorough consultations with industry stakeholders were conducted before finalizing the dates. The artisanal and inshore fleets will observe the closed season from July 1 to July 31, 2024, while industrial trawl vessels will extend their closure until August 31, 2024.

The fisheries sector has faced several obstacles, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, climate alter, marine habitat destruction and pollution. 

To address these, Mrs. Koomson mentioned the arrival of the R/V Fridtjof Nansen research team on May 21, 2024, which is currently conducting a survey of the waters.

In addressing illegal fishing, Mrs. Koomson revealed plans to roll out an Electronic Monitoring System equipped with video recording and GPS capabilities after the completion of a pilot project. This system, installed on three pilot trawl vessels, monitors fishing activities around the clock.

Mrs. Koomson highlighted that stakeholders agreed on the benefits of the closed season during a meeting on April 2, 2024. Based on scientific recommendations, the closed season aims to curb over-fishing, decrease fishing pressure, restore over-exploited fish stocks, and replenish dwindling fish populations. 

The 2024 closed season will be observed from July 1 to July 31 for canoes and inshore vessels, and from July 1 to August 31 for industrial trawlers.

Lastly, She expressed gratitude to the Government of Norway for undertaking the fisheries resource survey, as well as to the FAO, various Fisheries Associations, and other agencies involved in implementing the closed season.