MINISTRY OF Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has placed a ban on the importation of all ornamental fisheries and tilapia species (live and dead) into Ghana.
The Ministry in a release signed its Acting Chief Director, Prof. Francis Nunoo, said the ban follows reports of the Tilapia Lake Virus, an emerging virus that is accordingly associated with significant mortalities in farmed tilapia.
“The attention of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has been drawn to the fact that, cases have been reported across Africa, Asia and South America that the virus represents a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.”
According to the statement, “this means all countries should be vigilant and act quickly to investigate cases of mortalities in farms.”
It stated that the ban was one of the immediate actions being taken by the Ministry to help prevent and control the virus since its treatment is not known.
The statement noted that the Ministry shall follow up with capacity building and awareness creation programmes at different levels to farmers, hatchery operators, extension officers, and consumers and the general public to support implementation of simple farm level bio-security programmes.
It added “Consumers and stakeholders are therefore advised to report any issues arising or related to this issue to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The Ministry will also update the public on any new developments on this in due time.”
BY Melvin Tarlue