Beware of contaminated fish - Ms. Sherry Ayittey

The Minister of Fisheries, Ms. Sherry Ayittey has urged women fish processors to desist from buying contaminated fish at the beaches.

She told the women that fishes harvested through unapproved means, like light fishing, must be rejected by them when they are brought ashore or to the market.

Ms. Ayittey who was speaking to a group of women fish processors, who had called on her to share their experiences with policy makers, said her ministry was making preparations to start training the women on the usage of test kit at the beaches so they could be able to identify fish harvested through unapproved means.

The minister also indicated that the Government through the ministry would put together National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA) to bring together all fish processors whether individuals or groups. She added that the ministry would be organising a workshop on the use of the test kits for all members of the association so they can make informed decisions when buying fish.

Ms. Ayittey said the objective of the ministry includes ensuring that activities in the fishing industry were regulated to benefit all stakeholders. She urged all members to register with NAFPTA and participate in all its activities.

The objective of NAFPTA is to put together all other fisheries organisation for easy access and support. Executives of the association have gone through series of training and are expected to train other members.

Development Action Association (DAA), a network of farmer /fisher based organisations operating in 64 communities within four regions of Ghana, as part of its advocacy activities to promote the implementation of the fisheries laws and good fisheries practices meets annually with the Minister of Fisheries to share their experiences with policy makers and the government.

The annual meeting has provided a platform for the women to get first-hand information on policies affecting their work and also share ideas on the kind of support expecting from the government.

This year’s meeting brought on board other partners within the fisheries advocacy industry such as Central and Western Region Fisheries Improvement Association (CEWEFIA) and DAASGIFT Quality Foundation from the Western Region.

Judith Aryeetey from Winneba indicated that as women in the post-harvest value chain in the fisheries sector it is their duty to ensure that consumers eat wholesome and healthy food and fish. She said that women have now decided to avoid purchasing bad fish from the fishermen. This she added will support the ministry’s effort to control unproven methods of fishing in our various communities.