Ministry lends support to fish farming

Dodi-Asantekrom (E/R) May 17, GNA - Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries, on Tuesday said the Sector Ministry had plans to improve on the capacity of fish farmers to add value to their business operations to meet the market requirements.

To achieve this objective, a Fishers' Forum would be held in September to brainstorm on how to solve the problems facing the fishing industry.

Mrs Asmah made this known at Dodi Asantekrom in the Eastern Region, where she interacted with Ms Patricia Sarfo, Managing Director of Crystal Lake Fish Company and spent over an hour inspecting projects of the Company.

The Company has the capacity to produce up to 1,000 tons of fingerlings in a year and harvests about 320 tilapias in a month for the local and international markets.

Mrs Asmah said the development of aquaculture was necessary for sustainable development and hence the commitment of the Government to realise such an objective.

Ms Sarfo said the project was capital intensive, adding: "We do not make any profit currently, even though we have invested a lot into the project".

She called on the Ministry and other stakeholders to support entrepreneurs in the fishing industry. 17 May 05