By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), Feb 6, GNA-Fisherfolks at Keta in the Volta Region have urged Madam Emelia Arthur, the newly sworn-in minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to consult stakeholders of fishing associations and communities on the next close fishing season.
This, according to them, would help to suggest a better timeframe for the upcoming period when fishing is prohibited in the coastal areas to allow fish stocks to replenish.
Mr Lumor Seshie, fisherman at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, proposed that the minister and stakeholders should conduct series of engagement with the various fishing communities on the best month to hold the subsequent close fishing seasons to avoid low catches and loss of resources and money.
“The close season is a crucial measure to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector, it also provides for fish stocks a chance to replenish and prevent overfishing and protect the marine ecosystem, but we always have problem with the season been held in July,” he said.
He said the timing of the close fishing season in July every year had significant implications on fisherfolks which affected livelihoods and coincided with the period of high catches and demand.
He proposed that per the previous experiences, the close fishing season should be held in either April or May, where fisheries replenished in a larger quantity to boost the fishing business for many who rely on fishing for their income.
“We always comply with close season rules and regulations because we know its importance, but the only issues we have is about the timing, we are calling on the new minister to consult us, since we think May or April will be the best close fishing period.”
He said studies and experiences also indicated that during July closed fishing seasons many aquatic livestock moved to other countries such as Togo, Benin among others and should be rescheduled to a safer period for the benefit of the fisherfolks.
Madam Juliet Amegbo, a fishmonger, also highlighted the need for greater consultation and collaboration between the Fisheries Ministry and fisherfolks to identify the best solutions for sustainability of the fisheries sector and protect their livelihoods.
She told GNA that,” the buying and selling during the close fishing season is always affected by the high prices of catches, we are suffering as businesswomen, and it was an important issue the new minister should reconsider.”
Some other fisherfolks GNA spoke to believed that consultation among stakeholders would develop a balance solution needed to protect the marine ecosystem which would also protect the livelihoods of fisherfolks.
The GNA was told that in recent years, Ghana’s fisheries sector had faced significant challenges, including overfishing and the degradation of marine habitats and close fishing season is an important measure to address the challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The closed fishing season slated from July 1 to July 31, was for canoes and inshore vessels, whilst industrial trawlers observed a two-month closure from July 1 to August 31, every year.
GNA