An international marine conservation organisation, Blue Ventures, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, as part of its ongoing mission to deepen collaboration on sustainable fisheries management in Ghana.
The meeting, held at the Ministry, provided an opportunity for Blue Ventures to outline its objectives, share updates on current mission activities, and explore avenues for partnership in support of national fisheries priorities.
Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Arthur expressed appreciation for Blue Ventures’ support in organising the National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers in Accra last year. She commended the organisation’s community-centred approach to fisheries conservation and voiced optimism that strengthened collaboration would help rebuild fish stocks, protect marine ecosystems, and improve livelihoods in coastal communities.
Founded in 2003, Blue Ventures works closely with coastal communities to restore fisheries, conserve marine biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods. Since beginning operations in West Africa in 2023, the organisation has developed initiatives in Senegal, The Gambia, and Cape Verde, with a strong emphasis on community leadership, co-management systems, and technical support for small-scale fisheries.
The delegation noted that following an exploratory mission to Ghana in 2025, it was encouraged by the strong commitment of stakeholders toward sustainable fisheries management. Key policy measures such as the extension of the artisanal Inshore Exclusive Zone and the establishment of Landing Beach Enforcement Committees (LaBECs) were highlighted as important steps toward safeguarding small-scale fisheries and improving compliance at the community level.
Blue Ventures’ current mission, scheduled from 22 February to 2 March 2026, aims to deepen collaboration with the Ministry, partners, and coastal communities; review and advance a proposed partnership agreement; and undertake field visits to selected landing beaches. These visits will provide first-hand understanding of fishing activities and enable direct engagement with local stakeholders, particularly LaBECs, to assess how community-based enforcement structures function in practice.
The mission will also include engagements with potential partners such as the Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast, the CaFGOAG, the GNCFC, the GFRA, and other key fisheries stakeholders. Through these interactions, Blue Ventures seeks to co-develop work plans that align with national priorities and strengthen co-management arrangements across the sector.
Hon. Arthur reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with credible partners whose interventions support community participation, evidence-based management, and long-term sustainability. She emphasised that partnerships complementing government programmes with technical expertise and knowledge sharing are critical to achieving lasting impact in fisheries governance.
The courtesy call underscores the shared commitment of the Ministry and Blue Ventures to advancing sustainable fisheries in Ghana through collaboration, community empowerment, and practical actions that protect marine resources while supporting the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities.
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