Fishing Companies Demand Realistic Tuna Price

Members of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) have called for a realistic price for tuna, to enable them to sell to local consumers.

They complained that the low price offered on the local market, especially by the fish processing companies compels them to sell the tuna outside the country.

They said while Cote d'Ivoire offers 100 dollars or more for a tonne of tuna, local canneries offer 50 dollars, which is far below their production cost, a situation that would collapse the industry.

Nana William Buckman, President of NAFAG, said this at a meeting with Mr Ishmael Ashietey, Minister of State in charge of Fisheries, after a tour of 10 cold stores in Tema, to assess conditions under which they operate.

They explained that though wish to promote the economy, they cannot transact business at a loss and called on the canneries, such as the Ghana Agro Foods Company (GAFCO) and Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC), to work out a fair price.

"Why do we have to travel all the way to Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Thailand to sell tuna if we can get a good price in this country?"

NAFAG made a further appeal to the Minister to convince the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to rescind its decision to increase the harbour dues. They complained about the high tariffs charged by the Electricity Company of Ghana.

Nana Buckman entreated the Minister to extend the period given to fishing companies to regularise their documents and further consider suspending the arresting of their vessels at sea.

In June last year, all fishing companies were given six months to regularise their documents before they were issued with new licence, and realising that they were not complying with the directives, the time was extended for another two months but some have still not heeded the call.

The National Fisheries Commission (NFC) has, therefore, authorised the Ghana Navy to arrest vessels whose owners had still not complied with the directives for prosecution.

Mr Ishmael Ashietey said the Ministry wants to ensure that the fishing industry is protected.

He said preparations are underway to establish stations along the coast to monitor the activities of vessels at sea.