Fishermen complain of neglect of sector

Accra (Greater Accra) 3rd May ?99

Lapses in fisheries policies and neglect of fishermen by government are the main impediments hindering sustainable fisheries management in the country, participants at a day's roundtable meeting said in Accra on Friday.

They said sustainable fisheries management in the country could only be achieved if the policies were revised and implemented, taking into consideration the need to involve fishermen at all levels for effective implementation.

The meeting, organised by Friends of the Earth (FOE), an environmental non-governmental organisation, brought together various institutions involved in the fishing industry to identifying factors leading to the present degradation of fishery resources.

It also sought to identify practical action at the grassroots within the communities and at the policy level and how best to enforce them.

Participants were from the media, five local fishing communities in Accra, Elmina, Atimpoku and Ahobre and Ngelekazo in the Western region.

Others were from the Fisheries Department and the National Association of Fishermen.Whereas there are agricultural schools for crop farmers to enhance their technology, there is nothing like that for fishermen, they complained.

Moreover, the scholarship for farmers' children are not extended to those of fishermen, thereby making it impossible for them to sponsor their wards' education.

"We are made to feel as if we do not matter in the country. On Farmers' Day, only about two outboard motors are given to fishermen while the cars and other bigger prizes are given to crop farmers as if the food they produce can be eaten without fish."

The fishermen complained that most of the time their views are not sought in the formulation and implementation of policies and they are totally excluded from monitoring and controlling activities of alien vessels.

They also said the enforcement of the present fisheries regulations has not been uniform, opening doors illegal fishing.

The fishermen requested for patrol boats fitted with communication gadgets to assist the navy in monitoring alien vessels that invade the country's territorial waters.

Officials from the Fisheries Department said the fisheries policy has been revised and is now before cabinet to be forwarded to parliament for implementation.

Community-based fisheries management committees have been instituted in the various communities to assist the department in its monitoring activities, they said.

The officials also mentioned a World Bank-supported project that will help in monitoring, controlling and surveying activities in both shallow and deep sea.