Goal
Goal 14 aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
For Ghana, this means tackling severe threats like overfishing, illegal fishing, and plastic pollution that endanger marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Key priorities include restoring fish stocks, protecting marine habitats, reducing ocean pollution, and supporting sustainable small-scale fisheries that millions depend on for food and income.
Community Success
Key Statistics for SDG Goal 14 in Ghana
| SDG Indicator | Statistic (latest year) | Source & Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 14.1.1 – (b) Plastic debris density | 152,134,672 items (2020) | Ghana Statistical Service(GSS). Highlights the severe challenge of marine plastic pollution, informing national policies on plastic waste management. |
| 14.2.1 – Countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas | Seasonal closures for artisanal fishers practiced (2024) | Fisheries Commission. Demonstrates application of science-based, traditional management to conserve fish stocks and marine ecosystems. |
| 14.5.1 – Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas | 0.1% (2022) | Wildlife Division / Forestry Commission. Indicates a very low level of formal marine protection, highlighting a critical area for expansion to meet international targets. |
| 14.6.1 – Implementation of instruments to combat IUU fishing | Ministerial Directive on trawl gears; Band 5 implementation (2024) | Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. Shows regulatory action to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices. |
| 14.c.1 – Progress in ratifying/ocean-related instruments | Ratified WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (2025) | 2025 VNR / Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reflects commitment to international cooperation for sustainable ocean governance. |
| Target | Indicators | |
|---|---|---|
|
14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density |
|
|
14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas. |
|
|
14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels |
14.3.1
Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations |
|
|
14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
14.4.1
Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels |
|
|
14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information |
14.5.1
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas |
|
|
14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation |
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing |
|
|
14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism |
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries |
|
|
14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
14.a.1
Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology |
|
|
14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets |
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries |
|
|
14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want” |
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources |
|
Implementation of Closed Seasons:
The government has successfully enforced annual closed fishing seasons since 2019 to allow fish stocks to recover. This is a critical, evidence-based policy for sustainability, despite facing some resistance.
Summary:
The data reveals that Ghana’s marine resources are in a state of severe decline due to overfishing and illegal activities, directly threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions. While there are positive policy actions like closed seasons, the overwhelming trends of stock depletion, plastic pollution, and habitat loss indicate an urgent need for much stronger enforcement and community-led conservation efforts.