Artisanal fishers across Ghana are calling on Parliament to expedite the passage of a crucial bill aimed at extending the country's Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles, in a bid to protect their livelihoods and the marine ecosystem.

Reuben Jefferson Ocansey, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Canoe and Fish Gear Owners Association, made the appeal in an interview with journalist Rebecca Lartey.

He said the proposed expansion is vital to safeguarding small-scale fishers who are increasingly under threat from industrial trawlers operating illegally in nearshore waters.

“The pressure from industrial trawlers fishing too close to shore has caused a significant drop in fish catches and threatens marine biodiversity,” Ocansey said.

“The passage of this bill will be a major milestone in protecting our waters and securing the future of our coastal communities.”

Echoing his sentiments, prominent fisher leader George Adjetey Tawiah described the IEZ as more than just a regulatory boundary—it is a lifeline for thousands of Ghanaian families who rely on artisanal fishing for survival.

“If Parliament fails to act, we risk the total collapse of the artisanal fishing sector,” Tawiah warned.

“This would severely impact food security, destroy jobs, and undermine marine sustainability.”