Christian Anin flanked by some fishermen whiles addressing the media.
SOME FISHERMEN operating their fishing expedition at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region have declared their unflinching support for the ‘closed fishing season’ aimed at replenishing the fish stocks of the nation.
The fishermen believe the closed season will bring a lasting solution to the depleting fish stocks in the country’s waters.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) will close the sea to all forms of fishing activities scheduled from August 7 to September 4, 2018.
The ‘closed season’ is an intervention to address the depleting fish stocks in Ghanaian marine waters.
The decision to close the season in August is based on a scientific research which indicates that major spawning takes place around this time and, therefore, if the fishes are left for that period, stocks will increase considerably, with one fish spawning up to 10 million fingerlings at a time. However, some fishermen in the country have kicked against the decision.
Addressing a news conference last Wednesday at Prampram, the leader of the fisherfolk, Christian Anin, said that they were in support of the one month ban instituted by government.
He explained that over the years, the fishing sector has experienced a massive decline which could eventually collapse the sector.
He disclosed “this is a crisis and is threatening our livelihood and employment as fishermen. It is threatening the very existence of our community, national security, food security, our national economy and the protein requirement of both the present and future generations.”
He further stated that the situation is compounded by the multi-faceted illegal and unregulated fishing practices across the country such as light fishing, blast/dynamite fishing, use of obnoxious chemicals to fish, use of small mesh size nets, among other illegal practices.
He therefore called on all and sundry working in the marine sector to embrace, support and observe the closed season.
Also, he appealed to government to immediately enforce the fisheries laws and regulations on illegal, unreported and unregulated practices in order to yield maximum benefits from the closed season.
However, immediately after addressing the media, some fishermen in the area exclaimed that they were against the ban.
According to them, they are not in support of the ban because the sea is their only source of livelihood, unless the government gives them compensation during the closed season to enable them fend for themselves and their families.
From Emma Davies, Prampram