Include all stakeholders in the formulation of laws for fishing

The Sekondi branch of the Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association on Thursday reminded the government about its promise to include the association and other stakeholders in the formulation of laws and regulations guarding the operation of the sector.
     It noted with concern that the association was not consulted in the preparation of a bill to regulate the activities of fishermen soon to be presented in parliament.
     This, they said, contravened the promise in the National Democratic Congress manifesto that states that leaders in the industry including all national award winners would be involved in decision making to enhance the operation of the sector.
     Mr. Francis Eshun, Chairman of the Sekondi branch of the association and Opanyin Yena, Best National Fisherman for 2004, were briefing the Ghana News Agency after a general meeting in Sekondi on Thursday.
     They called for a review of the ban on the use of generators and aggregated lights in fishing, saying that these equipment particularly generators have their advantages to safeguard safety of fishermen on high seas.
    Mr. Eshun and Opanyin Yena said generators are used to recharge batteries of fishing vessels in case of engine failure on the high seas.
     Again, due to global warming, fish stocks prefer to live deep down the bottom of the sea and could be attracted to the surface only by light.
     However, they added that aggregated lights for fishing should be allowed only between the months of November and April when the sea becomes warm.
     Mr. Eshun and Opanyin Yena also called for the inauguration of the Fisheries Commission without further delay.
    They said pair-trawling between the Central Region and Half-Assini in the Western Region that tends to deplete fish stocks was on the increase in spite of the ban on such activities.
        They called on the government to enforce the ban and described previous attempt to enforce the ban as only “nine-day wonder”.
     Nii Botchwey, Secretary of the association, said members have decided to go to sea two weeks in every month to improve fish regeneration.
    He said the association would provide two fishing vessels to any institution that undertakes marine research to enhance the fishing industry in the country.
GNA