Fishing season reopens as minister strongly assesses level of compliance

Government urged fishermen to stop engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated activities

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Mavis Hawa Koomson held a special ceremony at Albert Bosomtwi Sam fishing port in Sekondi to officially open the fishing season for canoe fishermen and inshore fishermen with a passionate appeal for fishermen to stop engaging in illegal activities. , unreported and unregulated fishing activities (IUU).

She stressed that the government’s efforts to recover fish stocks during the close of the season will be of no value if they continue with IUU fishing.

Fishermen along the coast of the country observed the closure of the season last month and thus ceased all forms of shipping and fishing activity for 31 days.

The seasonal closure, instituted in 2016, is one of the strategies agreed with stakeholders to help reduce excessive fishing pressure and overexploitation of fish stocks.

The measure should also allow the rebuilding of overexploited fish stocks and help rebuild depleted marine fish stocks.

Speaking to fishermen from all coastal regions of Ghana, the sector minister expressed confidence that the closure of the season will allow the sector to achieve the desired long-term recovery goals.

She said her ministry was ready to enforce every law on fisheries and its related activities while providing adequate and necessary logistics to enable the Fisheries Commission to carry out its tasks, including education and application.

“I expect all of us to cooperate as we co-manage the fisheries for a more profitable fishing industry,” said Mavis Hawa Koomson.

“Let’s say no to saiko, light fishing, the use of dynamite, DDT, monofilament netting and small nets in fishing,” she pleaded.

She explained that “to mitigate the negative impacts of the 2021 season closure, the government, through the ministry, has supported our fishermen by distributing rice and oil in the four coastal regions. We are grateful that the majority of fishermen were able to benefit from the support ”.

Closed season

Evaluating this year’s closed season, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture said the level of compliance was very commendable.

“There were holdouts. But I think overall the level of compliance was around 98% and that’s commendable. “

She added: “I think this impressive compliance is due to the fact that the fishermen themselves are aware of the benefits of the closed season. They know the fish stocks are running out and something must be done. This closed season, they know, will help them. So he has come to stay and my ministry will ensure that everything is done to rebuild the fish stock ”.

Ceremonial President Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, the supreme leader of the traditional area of ​​Essikadu, observed that with the increase in piracy activities along the Gulf of Guinea, fishermen need to be aware of their surroundings and report immediately any suspicious activity they see at sea.

“As many have said before, I will also want to urge our fishermen to end illegal practices at sea. We want to continue to enjoy our fish.

From one fishermen’s association to another, they spoke of the need to guard against acts that would further deplete the fish stock.

Some fishermen have admitted that fish stocks are being depleted due to their own actions and inaction.

They therefore made a commitment to avoid IUUs.

However, industrial trawlers will continue to observe the closed season until Tuesday, August 31.