Ghana’s tuna industry in crisis as 20 hook-and-line vessels collapse

Ghana's tuna fishing industry is in turmoil, with all 20 hook-and-line vessels falling out of operation due to mounting operational pressures. Richster Amarh Amarfio, a member of the Tuna Association and Vice President of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), revealed this in an interview with Joy Business. Ghana is allotted 37 tuna vessels under the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), but 20 of the hook-and-line vessels are no longer functional.

Only 17 purse seine vessels remain operational. The closure of these vessels has far-reaching implications, as the industry supplies fish to local processors like Pioneer Food Cannery and Cosmo Foods. One of the most significant challenges for the remaining vessels is the high cost of fuel, which currently stands at approximately GH¢18 per litre.

This results in a substantial fuel expenditure for each fishing trip, often exceeding millions of cedis. In addition to rising fuel costs, high labor and maintenance expenses, coupled with the lack of local expertise, are further straining the industry. Most of the vessel captains are Korean, and the need to develop a local pool of specialized crew is becoming increasingly urgent.

Licensing fees for tuna vessels have also skyrocketed, with the cost for a 1,000 GRT vessel jumping from US$35,000 to US$135,000. Port charges, which are tied to the US dollar, add another layer of financial pressure. Lastly, security concerns, including armed attacks and hijacking threats, have led to the necessity of hiring armed naval personnel, with companies bearing the cost of this added expense.