Residents around the Ebi, Amanzule, and Fia rivers in the Ellembelle District, Western Region, have been temporarily banned from fishing.

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The ban imposed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is a response to a deadly fish disease outbreak, the disease, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS), in the area.

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Residents reported an unusual fish mortality event within the vicinity in January this year.

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Further investigations by the ministry revealed the outbreak of EUS, one that the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has labelled as a severe transboundary disease.

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EUS caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces invadans sp. impacted several wild freshwater species, including catfish and snakehead.

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As a result, a team of experts from multiple institutions was deployed to ascertain the cause and implement measures to contain the situation.

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"Upon receiving the report, a multidisciplinary team, including experts from the Fish Health Unit of the Fisheries Commission, Water Research Institute (WRI), Accra Veterinary Laboratory, Emed Diagnostic Services, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)."

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"The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), conducted further tests. Histopathological and PCR testing methods confirmed the presence of the disease, with 80% of tested samples returning positive results," parts of the statement read.

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According to the ministry, in a statement issued on Wednesday, 4 June, the ban is to prevent the movement of live fish from affected areas.

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Meanwhile, the ministry has indicated that it is working closely with district authorities and relevant agencies to enforce strict regulations on the movement of live fish from affected areas. It has called on the public to assist in reporting any unusual appearance of fish.

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“The Ministry further urges the public to remain vigilant and support these measures. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture remains fully committed to the protection of aquatic life, the sustainability of the fisheries sector and the food security of all Ghanaians,” the statement said.

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The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development continues to take pragmatic measures to protect and safeguard the health of the general public.

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The Fisheries Ministry in April this year imposed a 12-month suspension on the fishing licences of four industrial trawl vessels for violating Ghana’s fisheries laws.

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The affected vessels—Meng Xin 10 (owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.), Florence 2 (owned by Akrafi Fisheries), and Long Xiang 607 and Long Xiang 608 (owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd.)—were found guilty of repeated infractions that threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s marine resources.

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The vessels engaged in various illegal activities, including unauthorized transshipment, dumping of fish, operating in restricted areas, and harvesting juvenile fish.

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These actions not only breach Ghana’s Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1968) but also endanger the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities and undermine marine conservation efforts.

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Fishing ban in on Kambungli, Ellembelle DistrictDownload

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