Ministry of Fisheries suspends pair trawling

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - The Ministry of Fisheries on Friday suspended, with immediate effect the use of pair trawling as a fishing method in order to protect the artisanal fishing industry. A statement signed by Mr E. M. Quaye, Chief Director for the Ministry, said the directive would enable the Ministry to critically appraise the method and afford it the opportunity to further study its effects on other operators in the fishing industry. It said the Ministry was acting on complaints received on the destructive effects of pair trawling to prevent the fishing industry from plunging into confusion and attacks by factions within the industry.

The statement called on fishers to note the order for strict compliance.

The practice of pair trawling involves dragging a huge net between two boats to catch fish. Pair trawling has been banned within 12 miles of the British coast since September 2004.