Tema fisher folks observe close fishing season

Fisher folks in Tema are observing the one month close fishing season which commenced in Ghana on Wednesday, May 15.

It was imposed after months of consultations as part of measures to help replenish the country’s dwindling fish stock.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture postponed a similar closure in 2018 following several concerns raised by stakeholders.

According to Nii Odametey, Tema Awudum Chief Fisherman, the leadership of the Tema canoe beach had ensured that all fishing activities among canoe operators stopped at about 12:00 hours on May 15 in compliance with the ban as they would use the period to mend their nets and canoes.

He however added that the closed season would bring a lot of hardship on the fisher folks and their dependents as according to him they would be cash strapped during the period and would not be able to meet their obligations at home.

Meanwhile, the GNA observed that the fishermen at the canoe beach were complying with ban as their canoes had berthed at the basin.

Some sat sit idle, chatting among themselves or mending their canoes and nets as the closure of the sea to fishing activities entered day three on Friday.

Some of the fishermen even though complying with ban, expressed their unhappiness about the exercise as they alleged that China trawlers were fishing while they have been prevented by the Ministry to do so.

They wondered how they would survive the one month long unemployment as they had a lot of responsibilities to meet including housekeeping and other family and personal pressing needs.