Tema inshore and canoe Fishermen resolve problem

Tema, Feb. 05, GNA - The Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) has resolved the impasse between the Inshore Fisheries Association and the Canoe Fishermen Association over the use of illegal fishing techniques after separate meetings with representatives of the two associations. Present at the meetings were the Acting Chief Executive of TMA, Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, representatives of the security agencies, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and executives of the two associations.

After the meeting both parties promised to compromise to ensure peace at sea.

While the inshore fishermen accepted to put a stop to the Light Attraction technique, the canoe fishermen promised not to use undersize nets.

Earlier, Mr Narh stated that the use of light in fishing and undersize nets had the tendency of creating chaos and that if both parties failed to compromise in the interest of peace, the Assembly in consultation with stakeholders and the security agencies would enact bye-laws to compel them to comply with laid down rules.

Commander Osei Asante of the Eastern Naval Command said the Navy would ensure that the fishermen complied with the ban on the illegal techniques and asked them to cooperate by providing the necessary tip-offs to effect arrest.