The Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry has committed to greater transparency in the fisheries sector, aiming to expose the true owners and beneficiaries behind fishing vessels operating in national waters. This move is intended to tackle illegal fishing, human rights abuses, and other criminal activities at sea.

The initiative was highlighted during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France, where representatives from countries including France, Ghana, the Maldives, Liberia, Panama, and the European Commission gathered. The commitment focuses on revealing beneficial ownership information, addressing the growing issue of illicit activities linked to fishing vessels.

Research by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has shown that many fishing vessels are involved in illegal activities such as forced labour, human trafficking, and the smuggling of drugs and wildlife. However, the identities of those profiting from these operations often remain hidden behind complex ownership structures.

This transparency effort aims to identify and hold accountable those responsible for illegal practices. Ghana, which loses an estimated US$9.4 billion annually to illegal fishing, is pushing for global cooperation and reforms to improve transparency and enforce regulations. The EJF also noted that a significant portion of Ghana’s trawl fleet is controlled through Chinese ownership, operating via Ghanaian companies to circumvent legal restrictions on foreign ownership.

The focus on beneficial ownership aims to close enforcement loopholes, prevent illegal practices, and ensure that consumers can trust the sustainability of their seafood.

Source - https://www.fdiforum.net