GITA

Overview

The Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) is a corporate body registered in 2008 with the Registrar General’s Department as a company limited by guarantee. Non-partisan and not-for-profit, GITA is dedicated to empowering stakeholders in the trawl fishing industry in Ghana, adapting proactively to changing sector needs.

• Executive Team: 11-member executives, supported by a Secretariat with four full-time staff and three expert consultants (legal and fisheries).
• Membership: 23 current subscribers.
• Role: Acts as the voice of trawl license owners, serving as a liaison between government and industry stakeholders.
• Annual Catch: Nearly 20,000 metric tons.

Objectives

• Defend and promote the rights of members involved in lawful fishing activities and fish trade.
• Champion ethical practices and good corporate citizenship in the fisheries sub-sector.

Operations

GITA members participate in a range of sector activities:

• Industrial-scale trawl fishing
• Export and import of fish
• Processing and storage
• Local and international marketing
• Supply and support services for trawl vessels

Core Functions

• Representation & Advocacy: Protecting the collective and individual interests of members.
• Unification: Bringing Ghana’s trawler operators under one cohesive framework.
• Policy Engagement: Creating platforms for discussions on marine resource sustainability and food security.
• Government Relations: Advocating for supportive policies and research-backed regulations.
• Capacity Building: Offering training and professional development across the sector.

Mission

GITA’s mission is to educate, protect, and support its members by:

• Encouraging compliance with fisheries regulations.
• Providing legal and logistical support, especially during vessel arrests or detentions.

Exports & Investment

• Export of over 28 species, including redfish, groupers, cuttlefish, cassava fish, and barracudas.
• Focus on processed, value-added products meeting international standards.
• Open to partnerships with investors from Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

Technical Expertise

Members possess high-level technical skills in:

• Sailing and vessel operations
• Gear maintenance and repairs
• Fish exports and industry-specific administration
• Familiarity with cutting-edge technologies and global best practices

🤝 Collaborations

GITA maintains strong relationships with:

• Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD)
• Fisheries Commission (FC)
• National fisheries associations such as:
  • NAFAG
  • NAFTAG
  • GTA
  • GIFA
  • GNCFC
  • NICFC

These partnerships support strategic alignment and sustainable development across Ghana’s marine sector.