Stakeholders must find solution to depletion of fish stock

Sekondi, Dec. 28, GNA - Mr Alex Sabah, Western Regional

Fisheries Director, has underscored the need for stakeholders in the

fishing industry, to find lasting solution to the depletion of fish stock

in the sea. He said the situation needs urgent attention, as research shows

that, Ghana is not meeting even 50 percent of her domestic fish

requirement, while this is worsened severely by over fishing of the

fish stocks. Mr Sabah noted that, as fish forms part of the intake of many

homes in Ghana, stakeholders like fishermen, boat builders, traders,

ice/net sellers among others, must come together and formulate

measures, to ensure that there is adequate fish on the market. "Almost all the common species are in danger of depletion

beyond recovery, if nothing seriously is done to avert the situation",

he warned. The Western Regional Fisheries Director made the call, at an

emergency meeting with fishermen in the region. He was

accompanied by the Deputy Minister in charge of Fisheries, Nii

Amasa Namoale, at Sekondi. He said 93Tuna is the only safe stock in our waters at the

moment", regretting that over the past ten years, many fishermen

have made heavy investment, in terms of buying canoes, nets,

premix fuel and other fishing gear, but most of them are not making

any profits, as they return from fishing with low catches. "This mainly, is due to over fishing", he said, and attributed this

to the use of explosives, small size nets and harvesting of fingerlings,

and warned against the bad practice, to help restore the stock. Mr Sabah said the low catch is not due to spiritual powers, but

rather, they should find a solution to the situation. On their part, the fishermen claimed the discovery of oil, off the

coast of Cape Three Points, in the Western Region, has brought

untold hardship to them, as they are being restricted by law to fish

about 500 meters away from the FSPO, at the Jubilee Fields. The also complained about the ban of lighting for fishing, which

they say had compounded their plight, because they believe other

fishermen continue with the practice, aside of not being given due

recognition by government, as accorded crop farmers. To alleviate their plight, the fishermen appealed to government

for compensation, to enable them to continue their work. The Deputy Fisheries Minister warned that the ban on illegal

fishing was strictly in force, as the security agencies have been

empowered to arrest those, who contravene the laws. He however, said as the Security, especially the Navy, cannot

patrol the whole sea, fishermen must also gather the courage to

report those, who still use illegal methods for fishing. On the complain of not getting the necessary attention, Nii

Amasa Namoale debunked the notion and encouraged fishermen to

market themselves, by engaging in media discussions on fishing, in

addition to holding forums with the public. He advised them to register their canoes to enable the Fisheries

Sector to keep record of canoes in the system, as this would help

identify each boat, especially when it is in danger. The Deputy Fisheries Minister entreated fishermen to endeavour

to pay for the subsidised outboard motors sold to them by the

government, to enable others to benefit.