Fisheries Commission raises red flag over offshore gold exploration by Gold Coast GRC Gh. Ltd

The Fisheries Commission has called on the Minerals Commission to halt offshore reconnaissance activities by Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd until concerns about fishing livelihoods, marine biodiversity and safety have been addressed.

In a formal protest dated September 29, 2026, the Commission said documents supporting the company’s licence appeared to have been prepared largely for land-based mining, despite the proposed gold exploration taking place on Ghana’s shallow continental shelf.

The programme covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres, raising concerns about its potential effects on fishing grounds, marine habitats and coastal communities.

The letter, signed by the Commission’s Executive Director, Prof. Benjamin Betey Campion, urged the Minerals Commission to suspend or refrain from authorising offshore field activities until the identified shortcomings had been resolved.

Among the Commission’s concerns were licence provisions referring to hunting game, gathering firewood and collecting snails, as well as restrictions relating to farms, forests, roads and burial grounds.

It argued that these provisions did not adequately address the realities of offshore operations, where the key concerns include access to fishing grounds, spawning and nursery areas, navigation routes and submarine infrastructure.

The Commission also said it did not appear to have been meaningfully involved in the assessment, planning or permitting process.

“An offshore reconnaissance activity of this scale cannot appropriately be considered solely as a minerals-sector matter,” the letter stated.

It warned that the proposed activities could restrict access to fishing grounds, disrupt fishing operations, damage gear or affect fish behaviour and distribution. According to the Commission, no adequate assessment of these potential impacts, including economic losses and possible compensation, appeared to have been initiated with fisheries stakeholders.

The Commission called for an environmental and fisheries baseline assessment tailored to the marine area before field operations begin.

It also cited section 50 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), requesting a Fisheries Impact Assessment where the statutory threshold is met.

Fishing communities, fisher organisations, researchers and other marine stakeholders should be formally consulted, it said, with funding for assessment, engagement, monitoring and mitigation expressly included in the project budget.

The letter further requested a Marine Fisheries and Livelihood Management Plan to avoid or minimise disruption and provide compensation where necessary.

The Commission said the project’s safety documentation appeared predominantly land-based and required a framework addressing vessel accidents, adverse weather, underwater noise, marine pollution, emergency evacuation and search and rescue.

It proposed a joint review involving the Fisheries Commission, Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority and other relevant institutions before the programme proceeds.

While drawing attention to international concerns about seabed mining, the Commission acknowledged that the proposed reconnaissance on Ghana’s shallow continental shelf should not automatically be equated with commercial deep-sea mining beyond national jurisdiction.

Prof. Campion stressed that the Commission was not opposed to responsible investment or scientific investigation of Ghana’s natural resources.

However, he said such activities must recognise the importance of fisheries to food security, employment, coastal livelihoods and the national blue economy.