Government is worried about the rapid depletion of the country’s marine fisheries through the activities of illegal fishers.
Speaking at the Tema Port yesterday where a new Norwegian research vessel ‘Dr Fridtjof Nansen docked, President Akufo-Adddo, who grew up in Swalaba, near Jamestown in Accra, noted that ‘bumper harvest in those days was frequent and normal.
“I recall further the display of the now expensive species like large sea breams, ‘Tsile’ and groupers, ‘Shoi’ during the ‘Homowo’ festivals.”
In contrast, he said “today, as I visit numerous coastal towns and villages, one can hardly see such quantities of fish being landed and marketed.”
“Over the years, especially in recent times, nearly all of Ghana’s marine fisheries and some inland fisheries have been overfished.”
That, he said, is buttressed by the last stock survey conducted in April 2016, which shows that sardines, the dominant fish stock, are disappearing from Ghana’s waters.
Illegal fishing methods
Even though he admitted that population growth could be a contributory factor, he insisted that the ‘twin-evils’ of illegal fishing and the over-exploitation of the country’s marine resources have worsened the dire situation.
“This cannot continue to happen, as it threatens the very essence of our existence.”
He indicated that “government has put in place a fisheries management plan to ensure the long term conservation of Ghanaian waters and the marine stocks therein.”
Plan
The key objectives of this plan, according to him “include the reduction of excessive pressure on marine stock, effective legislation; strengthening participatory decision making and meeting regional and international obligations.”
Apart from that, he disclosed that “government intends to acquire its own research vessel, not of the size of the Fridtjof Nansen, though, to help in the monitoring of our fish stocks.”
The country may have little or no control over climate fluctuations or changes, but one thing we can have control over is our day-to-day activities.”
“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) methods are depleting our fish stocks. Our beautiful coastal wetlands are threatened by high volumes of plastic and metal waste that choke breeding habitats for fish. This must not be allowed to continue,” he emphasised.
To this end, he announced an Inter-Ministerial approach to curb the menace, saying “together, we can protect endangered species, achieve food security and protect our ocean for the future.”
Assurance
As co-Chair of the Advocacy Group of Eminent Persons for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the President reiterated his unwavering determination to ensure that Ghana implements SDG 14 by eliminating pollution in Ghana’s coast and significantly reduce pollution in the marine ecosystem by 2025 by tackling the current challenges posed by the use of plastics and indiscriminate disposal of waste.
He indicated his preparedness to complete the assessment of ecologically sensitive areas along the Ghana coast and designating Ghana’s first marine protected area by 2025 to safeguard coastal and marine biodiversity.
Appreciation
He expressed gratitude to the Norwegian government and his co-Chair of the Advocacy Group of Eminent Persons for the SDGs, Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, who was re-elected earlier this week for the gesture and wished the new captain of Research Vessel, R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen and the crew a happy stay in Ghana.
Dr Fridtjof Nansen
The vessel, owned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, was built as part of the United Nation’s (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) project to help boost fisheries management in developing countries.
This is the second time in two years a Nansen research vessel is docking in Ghana.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent