Minister For Fisheries Announces Opening Of Marine Fishing Season -Warn fishers against illegal methods of fishing

The 2022 fishing closed season begun from July 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022 which was observed by industrial trawlers.

However, the national ceremony which took place in the Ekumfi Otuam District of the Central Region of Ghana on Monday July 1, 2022 was attended by the various Ministers, Chief Fishermen, chiefs, traditional office holders, National Fisheries Association of Ghana, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Ghana Tuna Association, Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association and National Fish Processors and Traders Association.

Addressing the gathering, Executive director for Fisheries Commission Mr Fred Kweasi Boateng cautioned fishermen against the use of illegal methods of fishing saying the act was contrary to section 88 (1) of the Fisheries Act 625 of 2002.

He warned fishermen to desist from using illegal fishing materials such as light, dynamite, DDT and carbide since they were harmful to human health and the eco-system.

He said the ministry was soliciting the assistance of the security agencies and community based fish management committees to arrest those engaged in the practice for prosecution.

He called on fishermen and the public to co-operate to enforce the laws against illegal fishing.

He pointed out that the closed fishing season was observed to increase fishing pressure on sea shores at their ultimate production in terms of giving the fishs the opportunity to lay their eggs to place the lost operation due to fishing and other natural causes.

He appealed to the ishermen to do away with the illegal fishing implement and practices such as the use of dynamite,  DDT, lightening system other equipment in the attempt to increase their catch, saying that this would prevent contamination of the sea by death fishs killed by harmful chemicals and also the selling of unwholesome fishs consuming public.

He indicated that generally it is the customs and traditions of the people of the various costal communities not to go to deep sea for fishing activities on Thursdays.

He pointed out that thes existing customs and traditions have been observed over the years, adding that "I would therefore like to use this opportunity to commend the chief Fisherman of Ekumfi Otuam Traditional Area for ensuring that fishers hold on these long standing traditions and customs.

He congratulated the fishermen of Ekumfi Otuam for their strict compliance of these traditions and customs.

He pointed out that research showed that there have a drastic declined on marine fishs produced in Ghana for the past three dacades.

For instance, he noted that in 20015, fish import products pegged at US$ 20019.100,   20016 was US$ 30049.4 million and in 20017, was US$ 3001.4 million. 

He indicated that the fish consumption also stood at almost 100 million metric tonnes and local productions stands below 400, 000 metric tonnes.

According to him, this means that around 600,000  metric tonnes of fish is being imported every year.

According to him, these concerns justify the need for the enforcement of closure of the seashore for a period of one mouth to help protect fish stocks and also increase their population.

For his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ekumfi Otuam District in the Central Region

The DCE called for unity among the fishers  to ensure that the strict adherence to the directive issued by he Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Fisheries Commission for not using illegal fishing materials in their fishing activities.