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The government has been urged to institute a support mechanism for fishermen during the closed season
A representative sample of fishermen in parts of the central region called on the government to institute an effective support mechanism for fishermen during the “closed season” to support their livelihoods.
They said that since the intervention was introduced by the government, little attention had been paid to how those affected would survive during the period.
According to them, the situation would affect their ability to pay their loans, provide for their families and create a vicious cycle of poverty among the fishermen.
The fishermen expressed these concerns in separate talks with the Ghanaian News Agency (GNA) on the impact of the “closed season” in Elmina, Moree and Cape Coast on Wednesday.
The GNA noted that the guidelines on banning fishing for inshore and artisanal fishermen had been fully respected by the fishing communities visited, and that the usual seaside bustle was absent.
The beach seemed a pale shadow of itself with many fishermen sitting idle, others repairing their canoes and nets to put them in good condition, while some packed their fishing gear to keep them safe.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission has imposed the “Closed Season” 2021 starting from Thursday July 1 to Tuesday August 31.
Seasonal closure is a strategy to reduce excessive pressure and overexploitation of stocks in the marine subsector and to rebuild depleted marine fish stocks.
Mr Kwesi Smith, a fisherman in Elmina, said his loan payments, made on a weekly basis, would be difficult due to the closure of the season.
“I took out a loan and should make a payment every week, but with the season closing, how do I pay it back? He lamented.
Mr. Kofi Andoh, a fisherman from Cape Coast, also called on the government to control the activities of trawlers and illegal transshipment at sea, commonly known as Saiko to save their livelihoods from the collapse.
He said the activities of side-by-side trawlers, foreign vessels and IUU fishing practices had deteriorated fishery resources and asked why proactive measures were not being sanctioned to end such illegalities in order to save marine fish. additional exhaustion.
He asserted that they would adhere to the guidelines of the guidelines to ensure its success, but implored the government to appreciate the importance of streamlining efforts that would effectively reduce illegal side-by-side trawler and foreign vessel activities and practices. IUU fishing after the closed season.
Other fishermen expressed concern about the low engagement in the fishing sector as only the leaders of their communities were involved in the planning and called on the government to involve the fishermen when planning another fishing season. closing to prepare them.
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