Ghana: Trawler Fishing Should Be Banned In May-June Closed Season – Fishermen Insist

Posted By Stop Illegal Fishing:2nd May, 2019: Control and Surveillance · Impacts of Illegal Fishing

Fishermen at Sekondi in the Western Region believe the intent of the closed season for fishing could only be achieved if it covered trawler operators as well.

The closed season as explained by government and fisheries commission over the period is to allow respite to replenish the depleting fish stock in Ghana’s sea.

But the fishermen say the activities of trawlers among other unprofessional practices damage fingerlings, hence the need that they are also banned.

Government of Ghana spearheaded by the ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD) proposed a close season in last year, 2018 but fishermen across board and some industry players objected to the idea.

Among other reasons to the objection, the fishermen intimated that government did not seek their opinion on the scheduled date.

In-between the period there have been stakeholder engagements with the sector ministry and Fisheries Commission and all those concerned. They therefore resorted to effect the close season on May 15 to June 15 this year.

However, a section of the fisher folks including Sekondi inshore association are worried over what they termed as “government’s discriminatory decision” to exempt trawlers during the season.

Speaking on behalf of the Sekondi Inshore association during a town hall meeting at the Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbour at Sekondi organized by MOFAD, 2005 best fisherman Andrews Tetteh called on the ministry to emulate a country like Philippines as their close season affects all forms of fishing in the country including trawlers.

“The trawlers run over the small fish so they don’t live to grow for harvest. The trawler operators dump dead fish back to the sea which drive away the fish to go very far so they should be part too because close season is close season”, he asserted.

Mr. Tetteh also alleged the ministry is in a fix to include trawler fishing because many of the vessels are owned by politicians. “So-called ministers and MPs own those trawlers that is why they could not include the trawlers”

He challenged the ministry to produce records of registered trawlers if they would be any fisherman in Ghana in the list.

“If she likes she should bring the report out to ascertain the owners of the trawlers,” he dared government.

But the sector minister, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye maintained the close season is to revamp the industry for the good of the country.

“We won’t say things that will make you happy now rather we are telling you what will help your business in the future. If we gave you outboard motors and the likes and yet your catch is lean it won’t be profitable to you so sacrifice now and enjoy later”, she urged.

She explained fishing is categorized and each operates at different levels on the sea thus the close season cannot be generalized.

“From 1st August to 30th September the trawlers will also have their close season for two months”. She was of the view that the absence of the trawlers during that time will mean a bumper harvest for the rest.

The minister however promised that the ministry will be stern in regulating the activities of trawler fishing to ensure they apply best practices.

Source: 3news.com

Recent Posts

16th Meeting of the SADC Regional Technical Team for the SADC MCSCC

Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini 04-06 March 2024 The 16th meeting of the SADC Regional...

Read More...

Angolan Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources committed to end IUU fishing

On 20 February 2024 in Luanda, the Angolan Minister for Fisheries and Marine...

Read More...

Durban fisheries officers call for systematic interagency cooperation to fight IUU fishing

From 30 January to 02 February 2024, SIF and the MCSCC went to...

Read More...

FCWC West Africa Task Force held fifteenth Regional Meeting in Cote d’Ivoire.

The West Africa Task Force (WATF) of the Fisheries Committee for the West...

Read More...

SIF News Categories

The Issues

One in four fish in Africa is caught illegally, this threatens the sustainability of fish stocks, damages the ecosystem and deprives governments of income and people of livelihoods.

Find Out More...

Our Approach

Creating change by informing policy and practice, our hands on experience and investigative work means we are often the first to spot new trends and find ways to challenge these.

Read More...

Our Initiatives

Illegal fishing is a complex issue that requires multifaceted responses. Stop Illegal Fishing are working with a range of organisations to bring about change.

Find Out More...

Recent Posts

16th Meeting of the SADC Regional Technical Team for the SADC MCSCC

Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini 04-06 March 2024 The 16th meeting of the SADC Regional...

Read More...

Angolan Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources committed to end IUU fishing

On 20 February 2024 in Luanda, the Angolan Minister for Fisheries and Marine...

Read More...

Durban fisheries officers call for systematic interagency cooperation to fight IUU fishing

From 30 January to 02 February 2024, SIF and the MCSCC went to...

Read More...