Fishermen happy for the reopening of the Densu Delta for fishing

General News of Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-04-16

After five months of observation of a closed season, oyster culture in the Densu delta, in the Ga South municipality, in the Greater Accra region, was declared open, which provides joy to the fishermen who depend on the river to live.

Fish harvesting activities in the Densu Delta were closed in November 2018 to allow the regeneration of seafood and increase yields.

The closing of the season, the second in two years, was undertaken by the DAA (Development Action Association), a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with the Densu Oyster Harvesters Association (DOPA), in the framework for a sustainable management plan for oyster fisheries.

A ceremony marking the reopening season was held yesterday at the Tsokomey Landing site near Kokrobite on the theme of "Community Co-Management – Paving the Way to an Effective National Resource and Sustainability".

Importance

Oyster harvesting is a major source of income for many people in communities along the Densu Delta, including Tsokomey, Botianor and Tetegu.

The first closing season was observed last year, which, according to DOPA members, resulted in a significant increase in oyster yields.

They said that although the decision to base their tools for the second time in two years was difficult, the successes achieved after the closure of last year have illuminated their sacrifice.

Therefore, they expressed confidence that the second season of opening would also lead to a record crop to offset the long wait.

"The closing season was an excellent opportunity for us. When the river was reopened, I earned 80 ¢ of GH a day. This was not possible before, "said Bernice Agorogo, DODA member.

Support

The closed fishing season was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of a Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP).

The SFMP, a five-year initiative implemented by the Center for Coastal Resources of the University of Rhode Island, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, aims to transform the artisbad fisheries sector and replenish stocks.

As part of this initiative, DOPA members were trained to adopt a scientific approach in their harvesting activities to maximize yields.

Stock of fish declined

Mr. James G. Lykos, Director of the USAID Division of Economic Growth, noted that Ghana's marine fish stocks have experienced a significant decline in landings over the last decade, particularly fisheries. small pelagics important for food security.

As part of efforts to address this problem, USAID has partnered with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) to develop the co-management policy to support communities of fishing to ensure the sustainability of resources.

Recommendation

For her part, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, congratulated fishermen in the region for taking steps to "fix a problem that currently threatens the stocks of fish. fish on which Ghanaians depend mainly.