Transhipment, popularly known as Saiko, previously an illegal mode of fishing in Ghana, where trawlers stay put on the sea, catch fish meant for small-scale fishermen and sell them to cannon fishermen out at sea, can now be classified as legal as they officially launch operations on Monday, September 15, 2018 under supervision in Ghana, according to president of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers association (GITA), Mr Ampratwum Boateng who spoke to Kweku Bee Abrante of www.ghananewsalert.com

He revealed this on the sidelines of a closed door meeting between fisherman in the Central Region and leaders of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Fisheries Commission and China Vessel owners at the Central Regional coordinating council ( RCC).

According to Mr Ampratwum Boateng, President of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers association ( GITA),the association has done all the necessary documentation to ensure transhipment is regulated, so that, all boats and connons who will want to engage in transhipment or saiko, will register with the association, Ghana Revenue Authority and also get a way bill before to ensure Government also makes some money from their trading.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, who spoke to Kweku Bee Abrante of www.ghananewsalert.com on the sidelines of the meeting underscored that, “Transhipment is illegal, but transhipment under supervision is legal” and allowed under the fisheries act. She debunked rumours that, the ministry ever banned transhipment or saiko

Some Chinese men who own trawlers were also invited to the meeting to enable them sell the unwanted fishes to fishermen.

Present at the meeting, were the minister The Minister Fisheries and Aquaculture, Honurable Afoley Quaye, the deputy minister of fisheries and aquaculture, Hon. Ato Cudjoe, members of the the Ghana Trawlers association ( GITA) Chinese trawler owners and fishermen in the Central Region.

Source: Ghana web