Ghana’s aquaculture sector has experienced fluctuating growth patterns over the past decade, primarily due to the mitigating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of the Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) disease. Nevertheless, cage culture remains a significant contributor to the country’s overall fish production, with Lake Volta alone accounting for over 80% of Ghana’s annual farmed fish output. However, this intensive activity, if not properly managed, may result in adverse human health and environmental impacts; hence, the need to ensure that operations comply with the provisions of Ghana’s environmental laws .
This will ensure sustainable growth, minimize environmental degradation, and safeguard public health by controlling practices like waste discharge, disease management, and chemical use.
This paper reviews aquaculture projects in the Lower Volta Basin that were duly registered with the Environmental Protection Authority and have operated in compliance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) and other statutory requirements since 2015 . The paper will analyze trends in the number of compliant aquaculture projects in the study area and present key findings from compliance monitoring efforts. Recommendations will highlight issues hindering environmental compliance for regulators, informing policy development.
Keywords: Aquaculture, Environmental Assessment, Regulations, Environmental Compliance