The certification builds momentum for sustainable tuna fisheries in the region. Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Ghanaian Atlantic Ocean Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna Fisheries Meet MSC Sustainability Benchmark

Certification of purse seine and pole-and-line fleets marks a major milestone for sustainable tuna fishing in West Africa, strengthening global supply of responsibly sourced tuna.

The Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) has achieved a significant sustainability milestone after its purse seine and pole-and-line tuna fleets were certified to the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard. The certification positions Ghana as a leader in sustainable Atlantic tuna fisheries and supports growing global demand for responsibly sourced seafood.

The independent assessment was conducted by Control Union (UK) Limited and followed a rigorous, science-based evaluation of fish stock health, ecosystem impacts, and fisheries management systems. The successful outcome demonstrates what can be achieved when fishers align their operations with scientific advice and international best practice.

GTA-certified vessels operate across the Atlantic High Seas and the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Liberia. The fleets target skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), landing their catches at the ports of Accra and Tema, Ghana’s primary maritime and trade hub.

Both fisheries implement a comprehensive fish aggregating device (FAD) management plan, aligned with conservation and operational measures established by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). In recent years, the industry has also invested heavily in skipper and crew training, endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species strategies, and enhanced data collection and monitoring systems to ensure transparency and responsible fishing practices.

Frank Aihoon, President of the Ghana Tuna Association, described the certification as a landmark achievement.

“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 leave a healthier ocean for future generations.”

Michael Marriott, MSC Program Director for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, welcomed the achievement and emphasised its broader significance.

“We congratulate the Ghana Tuna Association and its partners on this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to continued engagement as these fisheries progress on their sustainability journey. MSC certification is about more than a label demanded by buyers and consumers—it recognises fishers who are genuinely committed to improving their environmental performance.”

The certification builds momentum for sustainable tuna fisheries in the region. In November 2024, the CAPSEN and Grand Bleu fisheries harvesting Atlantic tuna off the coast of Senegal became the first fisheries in Western Africa to achieve MSC certification, highlighting a growing regional shift toward internationally recognised sustainability standards.

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