Togo Suspends Artisanal and Industrial Fishing

Agriculture

Wednesday, 25 June 2025 09:06

Togo Suspends Artisanal and Industrial Fishing

(Togo First) - Togo will temporarily suspend artisanal and industrial fishing activities in July and August 2025 as part of efforts to preserve marine resources. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock, and Transhumance Regulation on June 20 sets two distinct fishing bans.

Artisanal fishing will be prohibited from July 1 to July 31, while industrial fishing will be halted from July 1 to August 31, 2025.

The measure is designed to allow for a biological recovery period, enabling aquatic species to reproduce and supporting long-term sustainability of fish stocks. It also reflects Togo’s regional commitments to its partners in the Gulf of Guinea to combat marine resource overexploitation.

During the suspension period, all fishing, harvesting, or transshipment of marine products is strictly forbidden. The ministry has warned that violators will face penalties under existing national regulations.

To ensure compliance, the authorities are calling for the involvement of all stakeholders in the fishing industry, including professional fishing organizations, local management committees, fishing communities, artisans, fish traders, and other sector participants.

These fishing bans are part of Togo’s national strategy for sustainable fisheries management, which establishes two annual biological rest periods: from July 1 to July 31 for artisanal fishing and from July 1 to August 31 for industrial fishing.

Esaïe Edoh

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