Ghana Secures MSC Certification for Atlantic Skipjack and Yellowfin Fisheries

Ghana Tuna Association purse seine and pole-and-line fleets have secured Marine Stewardship Council certification for Atlantic skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), a recognition announced in Accra on March 3, 2026 and presented by industry and government leaders as a boost to market access and the country's blue economy agenda. The certification covers operations across the Atlantic High Seas and the Exclusive Economic Zones of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Liberia, with landings at the ports of Accra and Tema.

In a rigorous independent assessment by Control Union UK, the fisheries were evaluated on ecosystem impacts, stock health and management effectiveness before the MSC certification was granted. The MSC public certification reports and the association’s documentation describe a comprehensive FAD management plan and traceability measures that were part of the assessment package for the purse seine and pole-and-line fleets.

Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Emelia Arthur framed the outcome as a commercial and policy milestone, linking certification to improved monitoring and industry practices. “This milestone is significant, not only for the tuna industry but for Ghana’s broader blue economy agenda. In today’s global marketplace, sustainability, traceability, and transparency are central to maintaining competitiveness and securing access to premium markets. MSC certification enhances the reputation of Ghanaian tuna products,” She said.

GTA leaders credit a multi-pronged improvement effort that included skipper and fisher training, development of an endangered, threatened and protected species strategy, and upgraded data collection and monitoring to verify responsible fishing operations. Frank Aihoon, President of the Ghana Tuna Association, described the certification as the result of industry cooperation and improvement projects: “This is a proud moment for the Ghanaian tuna industry and a significant milestone for the country’s seafood sector. Achieving MSC certification would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our members, industry stakeholders, improvement project partners, and management authorities. By meeting this internationally recognised benchmark, we are demonstrating our strong commitment to sustainability, the continued development of the Ghana tuna industry, and our responsibility to help leave a healthier ocean for future generations.”

The GTA certification follows CAPSEN and Grand Bleu off Senegal, which achieved MSC certification in November 2024, making Ghana only the second West African tuna fishery to reach the MSC benchmark. With Tema described as Ghana’s trade gateway and Accra as a primary landing hub, industry sources point to improved traceability and governance as immediate tools to seize premium-market opportunities and to tighten chain-of-custody for exported product.

Certification places Ghana’s Atlantic skipjack and yellowfin fleets under an internationally recognised standard for sustainable seafood and positions the country to build on the technical measures already adopted - ICCAT and ISSF FAD guidelines, a FAD management plan, and enhanced monitoring - as it moves from assessment to market access and implementation.