Minority unhappy about poor management issues in the 2021 fishing closed season

Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over some basic issues that can block the successful execution of the 2021 fishing closed season scheduled to commence on July 1, 2021, for a period of two months for Industrial Fishing and one month for Artisanal Fishing.

Speaking to the press, the Ranking Member on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa, Eric Opoku placed on record that the NDC on a fundamental level is not against closed season as part of the measures to reverse the dwindling fishery resources of the country yet passionately opposed to some policies being implemented by the Nana Akufo Addo/Bawumia government.

However, they believe it can hinder the effectiveness of the implementation of the closed season.

According to him, records of the Fisheries Ministry demonstrate that the past NDC government initiated the fisheries closed season and piloted the closed season with the trawl sector as one of the numerous interventions rolled out for the sustainable management of fishery resources,  however, this government has failed.

“The terms of the fishing licence to industrial fishers is a huge disincentive for continuous investment in the sector and a recipe for flouting the regulations of the closed season. The issue of observers on industrial vessels is a sick joke and must be looked at again” he said.

Furthermore, he explained that the recruitment process and personnel are in contravention of the law and heavy extortion from the industry player is at play.

"This cannot continue and yet you expect cooperation from industry players for the closed season to succeed."

 He further called on the Ministry to relook at the implementation of the closed season and ensure fairness and equity to all players.

Ahenkorah Oduraa Mary