Ban on fishing annoys minority

The Minority in parliament has advised the government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to make broad consultations when taking certain decisions.

According to them, regardless of the diverse political orientations, they are ready and willing to share in the development of Ghana.

“Extensive consultation is, therefore, an imperative for meeting the demands and aspirations of our people as political leaders. Government must learn to consult,” they said in a statement copied to GhanaWeb.

This call by the minority was after the government through its Fisheries Minister, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, announced a fishing moratorium which is to take effect from May 15 to June 15, 2019, for all artisanal fleets or canoes fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Ghana.

The Minister also announced the closure for industrial fleets which would start from August 1 to September 30, 2019.

This, the minority stated that the best approach to solving the fishing menace is to adopt the ecological friendly approach, make us of a comprehensive gear policy and also consult gear experts such as the Scientist and Technical Working Group (STWG).

They noted that the government needs to develop a sea-use policy and area-closures to ensure that there are respectably protected stocks that replenish the sea at all times.

“As a minority, we have consulted widely and know for a fact that between May and June, fishermen do not normally do fishing; it is the period they use in preparing their gears and canoes in anticipation of a fishing season. Natural consequences such as rains and high tides make it nearly impossible to fish and around the period, the targeted fishing of small pelagic, comprising the sardinellas, mackerels and anchovies are not within reach of the artisanal fleets since they may now be migrating towards shore”.