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Company News of Friday, May 3, 2019
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2019-05-03
Some fishermen at the meeting
A press conference organized by the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen's Council (GNCFC) in Accra on Thursday to answer questions about the closure of the small-scale fishery nationwide in 2019 has become chaotic, with fishermen being divided as to what should be the appropriate time frame observe the ban.
Although some of the fishermen have accepted the announced timetable, which is expected to come into effect from May 15, 2019 to June 15, 2019, others have opposed this date, preferring that it starts in July to allow adequate preparation for improve compliance.
The VAG room in Accra, the venue of the meeting, was characterized by clashes between fishermen who failed to reach consensus.
Strong disagreement
Part of the fishermen, dressed in a white armband to represent their support on the announced date, threatened to disrupt the meeting if the NCGC's executive communicated otherwise, a threat that did not affect those who had opposing points of view.
"The same executive opposed the move last year and proposed that this be done this year. Although some of us were not in favor, we supported the postponement because we agreed that we had not been adequately prepared.
"It's hard for us to have a catch these days, because of declining inventories.
We believe that the only way to overcome this problem is to relieve pain and respect the ban with immediate effect.
We will resist any attempt to change the date, "said some fishermen.
"How do you want us to put our tools in two weeks when no other means of livelihood exists for us?
It is important that we all agree on postponing the ban if we do not want to starve in the allotted time, "also said others.
The executive council, which seemed troubled by the reaction of its members, was just watching as they waited for the restoration of calm.
It took nearly 30 minutes for the other members who seemed neutral in the matter to calm their composure to clear the way at the beginning of the meeting.
The fishermen could not find a common ground throughout the meeting as they constantly debated the relevance of the May 15 calendar.
L & # 39; ban
On April 10, 2019, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for Development (MoFAD) announced that the closure of the 2019 artisbad fishing season would take effect from May 15, 2019 to June 15, 2019.
The one-month ban aims to increase the stock of fish by increasing the number of fish species, including mackerel, which have declined significantly.
Area Minister Elizabeth Afoley Quaye said the ministry had several commitments to make with the various stakeholders to arrive on the date indicated, adding that the ministry would work with the Ghana navy to ensure strict compliance.
No stakeholder engagement
At the press conference held yesterday, the GNCFC refuted the claims of the Ministry of Finance that, he said, involved all major players before arriving at the scheduled date to observe the closure of the 2019 season.
According to GNCFC Executive Secretary Nii Abeo Kyerekuandah, an alleged meeting organized by the ministry in February this year to agree on the date quoted by Ms. Afoley Quaye at the announcement of the ban was false.
"As far as we are concerned, the meeting that was referred to was a hoax, a scene about to throw dust in people's eyes," he said.
The Board therefore asked the Minister of the Sector to provide evidence of the proceedings of the meeting and the participants to dispel any controversy surrounding the announced closure.
Post the closing season
Council also requested that the 2019 closure season be postponed and observed from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019.
Although this is not contrary to the observance of a ban this year, the May 15 calendar lacked scientific foundation, adding that this would not yield the necessary results.
He argued that the available scientific evidence developed by a scientific and technical working group composed of "prominent fish scientists" in February of this year had recommended July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019 as the appropriate period to observe the closing of the season.
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