• Ghana is considering a strategic partnership with China to combat illegal fishing.
• China remains the world’s top IUU fishing offender despite joining an international treaty.
• Nearly 90% of trawlers operating in Ghana are reportedly Chinese-owned, despite restrictions.

Ghana is seeking a strategic partnership with China to address long-standing structural problems in its fishing sector, despite mounting concerns over China’s role in illegal fishing practices in West African waters.

On May 19, Ghana’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, met with Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, to discuss possible areas of bilateral cooperation, including efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The meeting follows Ghana’s April suspension of licenses for four trawlers registered domestically but linked to Chinese ownership. These vessels were sanctioned for engaging in IUU activities such as transshipping at sea, harvesting juvenile fish, and using banned gear.

The Ministry of Fisheries stated that greater collaboration with China could enhance transparency and enforcement in Ghana’s fisheries sector. However, the proposed partnership has sparked skepticism. On April 16, China formally joined the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a UN Food and Agriculture Organization treaty aimed at curbing IUU fishing. Yet the country is still regarded as the world’s leading offender in the practice.

A 2021 report by the Environmental Justice Foundation revealed that nearly 90% of industrial trawlers operating in Ghana are owned by Chinese companies, despite Ghanaian laws prohibiting foreign ownership or control of locally flagged trawlers. This discrepancy continues to fuel debates around regulatory enforcement and the risks of opaque foreign involvement in Ghana’s marine economy.

If the partnership with China proceeds, fisheries experts stress that it must include full transparency over vessel ownership, landing data, and surveillance operations. Without these safeguards, observers warn, the effort may lack the accountability needed to produce real impact.

Ghana reportedly loses $23.7 million annually due to IUU fishing. This highlights the urgent need for reforms to preserve marine biodiversity, protect local livelihoods, and ensure sustainable fishery practices.