Fishermen vow not to quit light fishing

Fishermen into light fishing have vowed not to quit the trade until government stopped Chinese vessels and other foreign vessels from fishing on Ghanaian seas.

This came to light when the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development organised a meeting in Accra to engage with fishermen on the need to stop light fishing.

The meeting later degenerated into disagreements as the fisherfolks swore not to respect the regulations until their demands were met.

Mr Samuel Ashitey, Canoe Owner, Tema Landing Beach, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said if government was unable to get rid of the foreign vessels, then they should also be allowed to continue with their light fishing activities.

He called for a dialogue between government and fisherfolks to find lasting solutions to their simmering problems.

“We want the Minister to give us some time and a date to stop light fishing because this is our only source of livelihood and to be able to pay off our debts,” he stated.

He said light fishing started 16 years back, when the Chinese started destroying the sea with all kinds of materials to fish, which they had over the years complained of.

“If government had listened to us all that while, things would have been under control by now.”

He said it was not their activities, but the Chinese were rather destroying the sea with their numerous fishing vessels.

Mr Adjetey Arobela, Canoe Owner, Tema Landing Beach, the stoppage of light fishing would affect their livelihood as they served other petty traders at their various locations.

The fishermen pleaded with the Minister to let go of their seized items as their further storage would damage their machines and deprive them of their livelihood.