TOGO : FISHERS RETURN TO SEA AS BIOLOGICAL REST PERIOD COMES TO AN END
After a one-month suspension of fishing activities, Togolese fishers returned to the sea at midnight on Saturday, 1 August 2026, marking the official end of the government’s annual biological rest period.
This conservation measure is designed to protect fish stocks by allowing marine species to reproduce and replenish naturally. It also helps restore fish populations in the country’s waters and addresses the steady decline in fish catches recorded in recent years.
In Togo, the 2026 biological rest period began on 1 July to safeguard marine and lagoon ecosystems. The fishing ban ended on 31 July for the artisanal fishing sector, while industrial fishing vessels will remain under suspension until 31 August 2026.
The reopening has been eagerly awaited by coastal communities. It signals the return to work for thousands of fishers, fish traders, processors, and others whose livelihoods depend on the fishing industry.
Speaking to Eplus Médias on 31 July 2026 at the Lomé Fishing Port, fisherman Adouvi Adadé welcomed the measure despite its economic impact.
« The biological rest period is necessary and beneficial for the future of our fisheries. But it is also a difficult time for our families because most of the financial burden falls on women, » he said. « We are really happy to go back to sea. At midnight, our engines will start again. Above all, we hope the catches will be good » he added with a smile.
The biological rest period is part of Togo’s national strategy for the sustainable management of marine resources. By temporarily suspending fishing activities each year, the country aims to reduce overfishing, protect breeding grounds, and ensure healthier fish stocks for future generations.
As fishing resumes, hopes are high that the month-long conservation effort will result in more abundant catches and stronger livelihoods for coastal communities across Togo.
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